Why does density matter?

It determines whether an object floats or sinks in a fluid, and it's a quick way to identify or verify what material something is made of.

What's the density of water?

Water is approximately 1 gram per cubic centimeter (1,000 kg per cubic meter) at standard conditions, which is why it's often used as a reference point.

Density Calculator

Calculate density, mass, or volume — given the other two values — using the fundamental density formula.

Solve for

Mass (g)

Volume (cm\u00B3)

Density

2 g/cm³

How It Works

The density formula

Density = mass ÷ volume. Rearranged, mass = density × volume, and volume = mass ÷ density — this calculator solves for whichever one you need.

Example

An object with a mass of 100 grams and a volume of 50 cubic centimeters has a density of 2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Common Mistakes

Mixing units — mass and volume must use compatible units (e.g. grams and cubic centimeters, or kilograms and liters) before dividing.
Confusing density with weight — two objects of the same material have the same density regardless of their size, even though a bigger one weighs more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does density matter?: It determines whether an object floats or sinks in a fluid, and it's a quick way to identify or verify what material something is made of.
What's the density of water?: Water is approximately 1 gram per cubic centimeter (1,000 kg per cubic meter) at standard conditions, which is why it's often used as a reference point.