Calculate density, mass, or volume — enter any two values and find the third using the density formula.
This tool calculates density, mass, or volume when the other two values are known, using the fundamental physical relationship between these quantities. Density is a key property used in physics, chemistry, engineering, and material identification.
Density = Mass ÷ Volume. Rearranged: Mass = Density × Volume, and Volume = Mass ÷ Density. Common units include kg/m³, g/cm³, and g/mL, with g/cm³ being equivalent to g/mL for liquids.
Enter any two of the three values (density, mass, or volume), and the calculator solves for the missing third value.
Example: A material with a mass of 500 grams and a volume of 250 cm³ has a density of 500 ÷ 250 = 2 g/cm³.
Why does an object float or sink based on density? An object floats in a fluid if its density is lower than the fluid's density, and sinks if its density is higher — this is why ice (less dense than liquid water) floats.
What is the density of water? Pure water has a density of approximately 1 g/cm³ (or 1000 kg/m³) at 4°C, which serves as a common reference point for comparing other substances.
Can density be used to identify unknown materials? Yes, since each material has a characteristic density, measuring an object's mass and volume and calculating density can help identify what substance it's likely made of.
Does temperature affect density? Yes, most materials expand slightly when heated and contract when cooled, which changes their volume and therefore their density, though the effect is usually small for solids.
What's the difference between density and specific gravity? Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to the density of a reference substance (usually water), making it a unitless number, while density itself always carries units like g/cm³.