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Density in g/cm³ (= g/mL = kg/L)
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💡 Quick water rule: For water, 1 mL = 1 g, 1 L = 1 kg, 1 m³ = 1000 kg (1 tonne).
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Sources & Methodology
Density values verified against Engineering Toolbox, NIST Chemistry WebBook, and Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook.
Engineering Toolbox — Density of Liquids and Solids
Comprehensive reference for material density values at standard conditions used in this calculator’s 20 material presets.
NIST Chemistry WebBook — Fluid Properties
NIST authoritative database for water density at various temperatures and other fluid properties used to verify liquid density values.
Methodology: Mass (g) = Density (g/cm³) × Volume (cm³). Volume unit conversions to cm³: 1 L = 1000, 1 mL = 1, 1 m³ = 10⁶, 1 ft³ = 28316.8, 1 in³ = 16.3871, 1 US gal = 3785.41, 1 UK gal = 4546.09. Output in grams, kg, lb, and tonnes. Note: the calculator uses g/cm³ as the density base unit; values such as “Air 1.20 kg/m³” are converted to g/cm³ (= 0.00120).
⏱ Last reviewed: March 2026
Mass from Volume — Formula and Common Material Examples
To find the mass of any volume of material, you multiply that volume by the material’s density. This is the direct application of the density formula m = d × V, and it is used constantly in engineering, construction, science, and everyday life to estimate weights from measured volumes.
The Formula
m = d × V
m = mass (g, kg, lb, tonnes) • d = density (g/cm³) • V = volume (cm³, L, m³)
Example 1 — 10 m³ of concrete:
d = 2.30 g/cm³ = 2300 kg/m³ • V = 10 m³
m = 2300 × 10 = 23,000 kg = 23 tonnes
Example 2 — 1 litre of gold:
d = 19.30 g/cm³ = 19,300 g/L • V = 1 L
m = 19,300 × 1 = 19,300 g = 19.3 kg
Example 1 — 10 m³ of concrete:
d = 2.30 g/cm³ = 2300 kg/m³ • V = 10 m³
m = 2300 × 10 = 23,000 kg = 23 tonnes
Example 2 — 1 litre of gold:
d = 19.30 g/cm³ = 19,300 g/L • V = 1 L
m = 19,300 × 1 = 19,300 g = 19.3 kg
Mass of 1 Litre of Common Liquids
| Liquid | Density (g/mL) | Mass per 1 L | Mass per 1 US Gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water (4°C) | 1.000 | 1.000 kg | 3.785 kg |
| Seawater | 1.025 | 1.025 kg | 3.880 kg |
| Milk | 1.030 | 1.030 kg | 3.899 kg |
| Honey | 1.360 | 1.360 kg | 5.147 kg |
| Ethanol | 0.789 | 789 g | 2.987 kg |
| Petrol / Gasoline | 0.740 | 740 g | 2.801 kg |
| Diesel | 0.850 | 850 g | 3.217 kg |
Mass of 1 m³ of Common Solids
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Mass per m³ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (unreinforced) | 2,300 | 2.3 tonnes | Structural design value |
| Concrete (reinforced) | 2,400 | 2.4 tonnes | Includes steel rebar |
| Sand (dry) | 1,600 | 1.6 tonnes | Bulk density |
| Steel | 7,850 | 7.85 tonnes | Structural steel |
| Aluminium | 2,700 | 2.70 tonnes | Pure/alloy average |
| Timber (pine) | 500 | 0.50 tonnes | Dry, seasoned |
| Brick | 1,900 | 1.90 tonnes | Common clay brick |
💡 Practical engineering tip: In construction, 1 m³ of concrete weighs about 2.3 tonnes. A standard concrete truck delivers 6–8 m³, or 13.8–18.4 tonnes. Knowing mass from volume helps you size structural supports, select crane capacity, and calculate foundation bearing pressure. Always use the density specific to your material grade and moisture content for accurate results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mass = Density × Volume (m = d × V). Convert volume to cm³ (or mL) and density to g/cm³, then the answer is in grams. Example: 5 litres of water = 5000 cm³, density 1.0 g/cm³, mass = 5000 g = 5 kg. For steel (7.85 g/cm³), 1000 cm³ = 7850 g = 7.85 kg.
1 litre of water weighs exactly 1 kg (1000 g) at 4°C. At 20°C (room temperature), 1 litre = 998.2 g ≈ 1 kg. 1 US gallon of water = 3.785 kg = 8.34 lb. 1 UK gallon = 4.546 kg = 10.02 lb. The water rule: 1 mL = 1 g, 1 L = 1 kg, 1 m³ = 1000 kg (1 metric tonne).
Standard concrete density = 2300 kg/m³. So 1 m³ of concrete weighs 2300 kg = 2.3 tonnes. Reinforced concrete = 2400–2500 kg/m³ (heavier due to steel rebar). Lightweight concrete = 1600–2000 kg/m³. A typical concrete block (200×200×400 mm = 0.016 m³) weighs about 2300 × 0.016 = 36.8 kg.
Petrol (gasoline) has density approximately 0.720–0.775 g/mL, commonly taken as 0.740 g/mL. So 1 litre of petrol = 740 g = 0.740 kg = 1.63 lb. A full 60-litre tank of petrol = 60 × 740 = 44,400 g = 44.4 kg. Diesel is slightly denser at 0.820–0.880 g/mL (commonly 0.850 g/mL), so 1 litre of diesel = 850 g = 0.85 kg.
1 cubic foot of water = 28.317 litres = 28.317 kg = 62.43 lb. This is a commonly used value in US engineering. For other liquids: 1 ft³ × density (lb/ft³) = mass in pounds. Water = 62.43 lb/ft³, seawater = 64.0 lb/ft³, concrete = 143.6 lb/ft³ (2300 kg/m³), steel = 490 lb/ft³ (7850 kg/m³).
Use m = d × V. But shipping uses dimensional (volumetric) weight when packages are light but large: DIM weight = L × W × H (cm) / 5000 for air freight. If actual mass < DIM weight, you pay DIM weight. For dense goods (metal, liquid, stone), actual mass > DIM weight, so you pay actual mass. Always calculate both and compare to know your shipping charge.
Steel density = 7850 kg/m³. So 1 m³ of steel = 7850 kg = 7.85 tonnes. For a steel beam: if you know its cross-section area A (m³) and length L (m), volume = A × L, then mass = 7850 × A × L kg. Standard steel plate 1m × 1m × 10mm = 0.01 m³ = 78.5 kg. A typical shipping container floor plate (12m × 2.4m × 5mm) = 0.144 m³ = 1130 kg.
Gold density = 19.30 g/cm³ = 19,300 g/L = 19.30 kg/L. So 1 litre of gold weighs 19.3 kg (42.5 lb). A standard gold bar (Good Delivery) = 400 troy ounces = 12.44 kg and has volume = 12,440 / 19.30 = 644 cm³ (about 644 mL — roughly the size of a small brick). Gold is about 19.3 times denser than water.
Different liquids have different molecular masses and molecular packing. Water (18 g/mol) is denser than ethanol (46 g/mol, 0.789 g/mL) because water molecules pack more tightly despite ethanol being heavier per molecule. Mercury (200.6 g/mol, 13.6 g/mL) is very heavy per molecule AND packs tightly as a liquid metal. The mass per unit volume = density is a unique property of each substance at a given temperature and pressure.
Rearrange to V = m / d. For example, 10 kg of aluminium (d = 2.70 g/cm³ = 2700 g/L): V = 10,000 g / 2.70 g/cm³ = 3704 cm³ = 3.70 litres. For 100 kg of concrete (d = 2300 kg/m³): V = 100 / 2300 = 0.0435 m³ = 43.5 litres. Use the density calculator to find volume from mass and density directly.
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