Enter the liquid mass (kg) and the liquid volume (m^3) into the Liquid Density Calculator. The calculator will evaluate and display the Liquid Density .
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Liquid Density Formula
The calculator uses the standard density relationship and rearranges it for the value you need.
density = mass / volume mass = density * volume volume = mass / density
- density: mass per unit volume of the liquid (g/mL, kg/m³, lb/gal, etc.)
- mass: amount of liquid by weight (g, kg, lb, oz)
- volume: space the liquid occupies (mL, L, m³, US gal, fl oz, ft³)
Find density: enter mass and volume. The calculator converts both to grams and milliliters, then divides.
Find mass: pick a liquid (or enter a custom density) and a volume. The calculator multiplies density by volume.
Find volume: pick a liquid (or enter a custom density) and a mass. The calculator divides mass by density.
Reference Tables
Use these values as a starting point. Real density shifts with temperature, pressure, and composition.
| Liquid | g/mL | kg/m³ | lb/US gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | 0.74 | 740 | 6.18 |
| Acetone | 0.784 | 784 | 6.54 |
| Isopropyl alcohol | 0.785 | 785 | 6.55 |
| Ethanol | 0.789 | 789 | 6.58 |
| Olive oil | 0.91 | 910 | 7.59 |
| Vegetable oil | 0.92 | 920 | 7.68 |
| Water (20°C) | 0.998 | 998 | 8.33 |
| Seawater | 1.025 | 1025 | 8.55 |
| Milk | 1.03 | 1030 | 8.59 |
| Glycerin | 1.26 | 1260 | 10.51 |
| Honey | 1.42 | 1420 | 11.85 |
| Mercury | 13.534 | 13534 | 112.94 |
Common density unit conversions:
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| g/mL | kg/m³ | 1000 |
| g/mL | lb/US gal | 8.3454 |
| g/mL | lb/ft³ | 62.428 |
| kg/m³ | lb/ft³ | 0.06243 |
| lb/US gal | g/mL | 0.11983 |
Examples and FAQ
Example 1. A graduated cylinder holds 250 mL of an unknown liquid weighing 197.25 g. Density = 197.25 / 250 = 0.789 g/mL. That matches ethanol.
Example 2. How heavy is 5 gallons of gasoline? Volume = 5 × 3785.41 = 18,927 mL. Mass = 0.74 × 18,927 = 14,006 g, or about 30.9 lb.
Does temperature change density? Yes. Most liquids expand as they warm, so density drops. Water is about 1.000 g/mL at 4°C and 0.998 g/mL at 20°C. Use a value that matches your working temperature when accuracy matters.
What is specific gravity? It is the density of a liquid divided by the density of water. A liquid with specific gravity 1.26 (glycerin) is 1.26 times as dense as water and will sink in it.
Why does my measured density differ from a reference value? Common reasons are temperature, dissolved solids or gases, contamination, and measurement error in the scale or volume. Calibrate the equipment and check the temperature before assuming the liquid is off-spec.
Can I use this for gases or solids? The formula is the same, but the unit ranges and density values built into this tool are tuned for liquids. For gases you also need pressure and temperature to get a meaningful number.
