A density calculator computes material density (mass per unit volume) using the formula: Density = Mass / Volume.
About this calculator
A density calculator computes material density (mass per unit volume) using the formula: Density = Mass / Volume. Density is a basic physical property used to identify materials, calculate buoyancy, determine shipping dimensional weight, and design structures.
Water has a density of 1 g/mL (1 kg/L). Materials denser than water sink; less dense materials float. This principle (Archimedes' principle) explains buoyancy and ship design.
Common uses
- Identify an unknown material by comparing its density to known values
- Calculate whether an object will float or sink in water
- Determine the mass of a material from its volume
- Calculate dimensional weight for shipping
Frequently asked questions
What are the densities of common materials?
Water: 1.0 g/mL. Ice: 0.92 g/mL (floats on water). Aluminium: 2.7 g/mL. Iron: 7.87 g/mL. Gold: 19.3 g/mL. Air: 0.0013 g/mL. Oil: ~0.85 g/mL (floats on water). These reference values allow material identification from density alone.