Density Calculator
This density calculator relates the three quantities in the density formula — density, mass, and volume — so you can solve for whichever one you are missing. Pick a mode, enter the two values you know, and the result updates as you type. It is handy for physics and chemistry homework, material science, engineering, and everyday questions like whether an object will float. As long as you keep your units consistent (for example grams and cubic centimetres), the answer is exact and unit-aware.
Result
Use consistent units: if mass is in grams (g) and volume in cubic centimetres (cm³), density comes out in g/cm³. Results are rounded to 4 decimals.
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How it works
Density measures how much mass is packed into a given volume and is defined by ρ = m / V, where ρ (rho) is the density, m is the mass, and V is the volume. From this single relationship you can isolate any of the three quantities: density is mass divided by volume (ρ = m / V), mass is density multiplied by volume (m = ρ · V), and volume is mass divided by density (V = m / ρ). The units follow the inputs: dividing a mass in grams by a volume in cubic centimetres yields a density in g/cm³, so water comes out at about 1 g/cm³. Keeping the units of mass and volume consistent is the only requirement for a correct result.
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Preguntas frecuentes
- What is density?
- Density is the amount of mass contained in a unit of volume. It is defined by the formula ρ = m / V, so it tells you how tightly matter is packed together. Two objects of the same size can have very different masses because they have different densities — a block of lead is far denser than a block of foam.
- How do I calculate mass or volume from density?
- Rearrange the density formula. To find mass, multiply density by volume: m = ρ · V. To find volume, divide mass by density: V = m / ρ. This calculator does the rearranging for you — just choose the mode for the quantity you want and enter the other two values.
- What units should I use?
- Any units work as long as they are consistent. The common scientific choice is grams for mass and cubic centimetres for volume, which gives density in g/cm³. If you use kilograms and cubic metres you get kg/m³ instead. The key is that the mass and volume units match the density unit you expect.
- What is the density of water?
- Pure water at about 4 °C has a density very close to 1 g/cm³, which is the same as 1000 kg/m³. This is why water is a convenient reference: any material with a density below 1 g/cm³ will float on water, while anything denser will sink.
- Why does an object float or sink?
- An object floats when its average density is less than that of the surrounding fluid and sinks when it is greater. Ice floats on water because it is slightly less dense than liquid water, while a steel nail sinks because steel is many times denser than water. Comparing densities is the quickest way to predict floating.