Density Calculator
A substance with a mass of 100 grams and a volume of 20 cubic centimeters has a density of 5 g/cm³. This density calculator uses the formula density equals mass divided by volume to solve for any one of the three values. Enter any two values, mass, volume, or density, and the tool calculates the third. Density is one of the most practical science formulas because it connects the two ways people normally describe an amount, how much it weighs and how much space it takes. A brick feels heavy for its size because it is dense. A foam cushion feels light because it is not. This calculator gives you that same comparison with actual numbers. You can find density from a weight and a volume measured in any consistent unit system, such as grams and cubic centimeters, kilograms and liters, or pounds and gallons. The tool works by rearranging the same equation three ways. If mass and volume are known, it divides mass by volume to show density. If density and volume are known, it multiplies them to show mass. If mass and density are known, it divides mass by density to show volume. All three paths use the same underlying relationship, which is why the formula stays the same no matter which field you leave empty.
Quick answer
Density equals mass divided by volume. It tells you how much mass is packed into a given space.
Enter exactly two positive values and leave the third empty.
What this tells you
- •Density equals mass divided by volume. It tells you how much mass is packed into a given space.
- •Mass equals density times volume. Use this when you know how dense a substance is and how much of it you have.
- •Volume equals mass divided by density. Use this to find how much space a given mass of material will take up.
- •All values must be positive. The formula divides or multiplies directly with no squared or cubed terms.
- •Units must be consistent. If mass is in grams and volume is in cubic centimeters, density will be in grams per cubic centimeter.
How to Use
- 1Enter the two values you know, mass and volume, mass and density, or volume and density.
- 2Leave the unknown field empty. The calculator solves for that missing value.
- 3All three values must use consistent units, such as grams for mass and cubic centimeters for volume, or kilograms and liters.
- 4Read the result. The solved value uses the same unit system as the inputs.
How It Works
Formula
density = mass / volumeDensity is the ratio of an object's mass to its volume. A higher density means more mass fits into the same space. The formula can be rearranged in three ways: density equals mass divided by volume, mass equals density times volume, and volume equals mass divided by density. The calculator uses the appropriate rearrangement based on which field you leave empty.
Calculation note: values are processed in the order shown above, using the current input units.
Worked Examples
Find density
Divide 100 by 20 to get a density of 5.
Find mass
Multiply density of 5 by volume of 20 to get a mass of 100.
Find volume
Divide mass of 100 by density of 5 to get a volume of 20.
Densities of Common Substances
| Substance | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|
| Water | 1.0 |
| Aluminum | 2.7 |
| Iron | 7.87 |
| Gold | 19.3 |
Common mistakes
- Mixing unit systems. If mass is in grams, volume must be in cubic centimeters or milliliters. Kilograms work with liters.
- Forgetting which field to leave empty. The calculator solves for the one field that is blank, so make sure the two known values are filled in.
- Using zero or negative values. Mass, volume, and density must all be positive numbers.
Embed this calculator on your site
Drop this single line where you want the calculator to appear. It is responsive, mobile-friendly, resizes automatically, and is free to use with attribution.
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