Density Calculator

Formula

How density is calculated

Density measures the amount of mass contained in a given volume. The symbol ρ represents density, m represents mass, and V represents volume.

Worked example

Density calculation example

A sample has a mass of 100 grams and occupies a volume of 20 cubic centimeters.

1. Write the formula: density = mass ÷ volume
2. Substitute the values: 100 ÷ 20
3. Calculate the result: 5
4. Report the density as 5 g/cm³

Unit guidance

Use a consistent measurement system

Density units depend on the mass and volume units used. Common laboratory combinations include g/cm³, g/mL, and kg/m³.

This calculator displays a selected unit system but does not automatically convert measurements entered in mixed units.

Laboratory guidance

Common density mistakes

• Dividing volume by mass instead of mass by volume.
• Mixing incompatible mass and volume units.
• Using a measured container volume instead of sample volume.
• Ignoring significant figures in the final result.
• Rounding intermediate values too early.

Related calculations

Continue with related laboratory calculators

Use the Mass to Moles Calculator when converting a measured sample mass into an amount of substance for chemistry calculations.

Use the Measurement Uncertainty Calculator to evaluate uncertainty in experimental mass, volume, and density measurements.

Measurement limits

Assumptions and limitations

Density calculations assume that mass and volume refer to the same homogeneous sample and that their units are compatible. Temperature and pressure should be controlled when they meaningfully affect volume.

Results may be misleading for porous materials, mixtures, trapped air, irregular samples, phase changes, or measurements with substantial experimental uncertainty.

Questions and answers

Density FAQ