Density Converter

About Density Converter

Density is mass per volume. Water: 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³. Specific gravity compares to water.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter the density value you already know.
2. Choose the starting unit, such as \(\\text{g/cm}^3\) or \(\\text{kg/m}^3\).
3. Choose the unit you want to convert to.
4. Read the converted density result and use it in your work.

The formula explained

The main relationship is \(1\\text{ g/cm}^3 = 1000\\text{ kg/m}^3\). This means you multiply by \(1000\) to go from \(\\text{g/cm}^3\) to \(\\text{kg/m}^3\), and divide by \(1000\) to go the other way.

• \(\\text{g/cm}^3\) = grams per cubic centimeter, a common density unit
• \(\\text{kg/m}^3\) = kilograms per cubic meter, a common SI density unit
• 1 = the exact conversion factor linking the two units
• 1000 = the number used to convert between the two units

Step by step method

1. Start with the given density value and identify its unit.
2. Use the conversion factor \(1\\text{ g/cm}^3 = 1000\\text{ kg/m}^3\) to decide whether to multiply or divide by \(1000\).
3. Rewrite the value in the target unit and check that the size of the number makes sense.

Worked example

Problem. Convert \(2.5\\text{ g/cm}^3\) to \(\\text{kg/m}^3\).

1. Use the rule \(1\\text{ g/cm}^3 = 1000\\text{ kg/m}^3\).
2. Multiply \(2.5\) by \(1000\): \(2.5 \\times 1000 = 2500\).
3. So \(2.5\\text{ g/cm}^3 = 2500\\text{ kg/m}^3\).

Tips and common mistakes

• If the number gets bigger when converting, you are usually going from \(\\text{g/cm}^3\) to \(\\text{kg/m}^3\). If it gets smaller, you are usually going the other way.
• Make sure the volume unit is cubed, because density depends on both mass and volume.

Frequently asked questions