Calculate specific volume, mass, or volume from any two values with unit conversions for m³, liters, gallons, cubic feet, pounds, and ounces.
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Specific Volume Formula
The main relationship is specific volume equals total volume divided by mass.
v = V / m
- v = specific volume
- V = volume
- m = mass
The same relationship can be rearranged depending on which value you need to find.
V = v * m
- V = volume
- v = specific volume
- m = mass
m = V / v
- m = mass
- V = volume
- v = specific volume
If you enter volume and mass, the calculator finds specific volume. If you enter mass and specific volume, it finds volume. If you enter volume and specific volume, it finds mass. Internally, values are converted to base units of cubic meters, kilograms, and cubic meters per kilogram before the result is converted back to your selected unit.
Specific Volume Unit Conversions
These conversions are useful when checking a result by hand.
| Quantity | Unit | Equivalent in base unit |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 1 liter | 0.001 m³ |
| Volume | 1 US gallon | 0.00378541 m³ |
| Volume | 1 ft³ | 0.0283168 m³ |
| Mass | 1 g | 0.001 kg |
| Mass | 1 lb | 0.453592 kg |
| Mass | 1 oz | 0.0283495 kg |
Common Specific Volume Reference Values
| Substance or condition | Approximate specific volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water near room temperature | 0.001 m³/kg | Liquid water is dense, so its specific volume is small. |
| Air near room temperature and 1 atm | about 0.83 m³/kg | Gas values depend strongly on temperature and pressure. |
| Steam at low pressure | varies widely | Use steam tables when pressure and temperature matter. |
Specific Volume Examples
Example 1: Find specific volume
You have a volume of 2 m³ and a mass of 5 kg.
v = V / m
v = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m^3/kg
The specific volume is 0.4 m³/kg.
Example 2: Find mass
You have a volume of 10 liters and a specific volume of 2 liters/kg.
m = V / v
m = 10 / 2 = 5 kg
The mass is 5 kg.
Specific Volume FAQ
What is specific volume?
Specific volume is the volume occupied by one unit of mass. In SI units, it is usually written as cubic meters per kilogram, or m³/kg. A larger specific volume means the material takes up more space for the same mass.
Is specific volume the same as density?
No. Specific volume is the reciprocal of density. Density is mass divided by volume, while specific volume is volume divided by mass.
v = 1 / rho
For example, if density is 1000 kg/m³, the specific volume is 0.001 m³/kg.
Why does specific volume change for gases?
For gases, specific volume changes when temperature or pressure changes. Increasing temperature usually increases specific volume, while increasing pressure usually decreases it. Liquids and solids often change much less under normal conditions.
