Density Converter

Convert density units for material specs and engineering values

Density is one of those numbers that shows up everywhere, but rarely in the same unit system. A steel datasheet might list density in kg/m³, a chemistry context might use g/cm³ or g/mL, and a US supplier might quote lb/ft³ or lb/in³. This density converter is built for that exact situation: you have a single known density value, and you need it translated into the unit your project, supplier, or formula expects.

The dominant intent here is simple and practical: converting a known material density from one standard unit to another, without turning the page into a full materials database or a temperature-correction tool. This calculator does not try to guess density for a material by name and it does not attempt to adjust density for temperature, pressure, or composition changes. If you already have a density from a reliable source, this page helps you use it in the right units.

To use it, enter your density value, select the unit it is currently expressed in (the “From unit”), and choose what you want to convert it into (the “To unit”). The main result shows the converted value clearly. Under that, a short reference table displays the same density in the other most common units so you can copy whichever value you need for spreadsheets, calculators, or quotes. If you want a cleaner output for reporting, use the Advanced option to change the number of decimal places shown.

Assumptions and how to use this calculator

• This is a unit conversion tool. It assumes the underlying density is correct and does not validate whether it matches a real material.
• The conversion is based on standard definitions of mass and volume units (for example, 1 g/cm³ equals 1000 kg/m³).
• Density is treated as a scalar value. The calculator does not account for temperature, pressure, or moisture effects that can change density in real life.
• Enter values as numbers only. Commas are allowed for readability, but keep the value as a single density figure (not a range).
• Rounding is controlled by the “Decimal places” setting. Rounding can introduce small differences if you copy values across multiple steps, so keep more decimals when accuracy matters.

Common questions

Why do g/cm³ and g/mL look the same?

They are numerically equivalent because 1 cm³ equals 1 mL. That means a density written as 1.20 g/cm³ is also 1.20 g/mL. The units are used in different contexts, but the conversion between them is 1:1.

What is the quickest way to sanity-check a conversion?

Use kg/m³ as a mental anchor. Most common solids are in the hundreds to thousands of kg/m³. Water is about 1000 kg/m³ (which is 1 g/cm³). If your conversion moves a typical material density into an extreme range, you likely selected the wrong unit or mistyped the value.

Do I need to use lb/in³ or lb/ft³?

Use lb/ft³ for building materials, bulk densities, and many construction contexts. Use lb/in³ when working with smaller volumes, machining references, or older engineering tables. They represent the same physical idea, just scaled for different volume sizes.

My source lists “specific gravity” instead of density. Can I convert that here?

Not directly. Specific gravity is a ratio relative to water, not a density unit. If you have specific gravity and you want density, you need to multiply by the density of water in the unit you care about. This calculator assumes you already have density in a real unit, not a ratio.

What should I do if my density changes with temperature?

This tool will still convert units correctly, but it will not correct the value itself. If your material has temperature-dependent density (common for liquids and some polymers), convert the value measured at your relevant temperature, or use a reliable engineering reference that gives density versus temperature.