Material density is the mass of a material divided by the volume it occupies. It is useful for identifying materials, estimating part weight, sizing storage, checking manufacturing data and converting between mass and volume.

A material name alone is not enough for precision work. Alloy, grade, moisture, porosity, temperature and manufacturing process can all shift the real value.

Choose a material preset or enter a custom density. Then select whether you want to solve for mass, volume, density, or a two-material composite estimate.

If you already know dimensions rather than volume, calculate the geometric volume first or use a dedicated geometry tool such as the Cube Density Calculator or Cylinder Density Calculator.

Weigh a representative sample, determine its external or displaced volume, then divide mass by volume. The meaning of “volume” must match the density you want.

• Solid/true density: exclude voids when the test method requires it.
• Bulk density: include the bulk space occupied by a powder, soil or foam sample.
• Average part density: include hollow spaces if you are describing the entire finished object.

The searchable table below covers common metals, liquids, woods, plastics, gases, construction materials, fuels, rocks, minerals and foams in multiple units. Use it as a starting point, then verify the exact material specification when consequences matter.

Why density tables show different numbers

Two reputable tables can disagree because they refer to different temperatures, alloy grades, moisture contents or definitions. Wood is especially variable. Concrete depends on aggregate and void content. Plastics vary by formulation. Liquids and gases change with state conditions.

Once density is known, material mass follows directly from volume:

For example, a 0.01 m³ carbon-steel part at 7850 kg/m³ has an estimated mass of 78.5 kg before accounting for holes, machining, coatings or density variation. For geometry, gravity and weight-force options, use the Density to Weight Calculator.

For a simple two-material mixture where the stated fractions are volume fractions and volume change on mixing is negligible, an approximate effective density is:

Mass-fraction mixtures require a different relationship. Real composites can also contain voids, fibers, resin-rich zones or trapped gas, so a laboratory measurement may be more useful than a purely theoretical average.

Engineering tables commonly use kg/m³, g/cm³ and lb/ft³. Chemistry often uses g/mL for liquids. The calculator converts between these units, but the underlying property is the same mass-to-volume ratio.

Temperature changes dimensions and therefore density. Moisture changes wood and soil. Porosity strongly affects concrete, foam and ceramics. Alloy composition changes metals. Crystallinity, fillers and plasticizers change polymers. For gases, pressure is crucial.

That is why a calculator should expose assumptions instead of displaying twelve decimal places and pretending reality signed the same contract.

Suppose a metal coupon has a mass of 540 g and a measured volume of 200 cm³. Its density is 2.70 g/cm³, or 2700 kg/m³, which is consistent with many aluminum alloys. The result can suggest a material family, but density alone does not prove composition.