Free Online Density Converter - Convert kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/ft³, Specific Gravity & More

Free Online Density Converter

Convert between different density units instantly. Convert kg/m³, g/cm³, g/mL, lb/ft³, lb/in³, specific gravity, API gravity, and more density units with precision.

Density Converter

SI / Metric Units

SI Unit Conversions:

kg/m³ to g/cm³: 0
g/cm³ to kg/m³: 0
g/mL to kg/m³: 0

US Customary / Imperial Units

Imperial Conversions:

lb/ft³ to kg/m³: 0
lb/in³ to g/cm³: 0
US gal to UK gal: 0

Special / Industry Units

Industry Conversions:

SG to g/cm³: 0
°API to SG: 0
Baumé to SG: 0

Density Units Definitions & Conversion Factors

kg/m³: SI unit of density, mass in kilograms per cubic meter volume

g/cm³: Common metric unit, equivalent to g/mL (1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³)

lb/ft³: Imperial unit, pounds per cubic foot (1 lb/ft³ ≈ 16.018 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (SG): Ratio of substance density to water density (dimensionless)

°API Gravity: American Petroleum Institute scale for petroleum liquids

Baumé Scale: Historical density scale for liquids, different for liquids heavier/lighter than water

Slug: Imperial mass unit (1 slug = 32.174 lb)

Common Material Densities

Air (STP): 1.225 kg/m³
Water (4°C): 1000 kg/m³ (SG = 1.0)
Ice: 917 kg/m³
Aluminum: 2700 kg/m³
Iron/Steel: 7850 kg/m³
Lead: 11340 kg/m³
Gold: 19300 kg/m³
Gasoline: 750 kg/m³ (SG = 0.75)

Common Density Conversion Examples

Basic Conversions:

Water: 1000 kg/m³ = 1 g/cm³ = 62.43 lb/ft³ Iron: 7850 kg/m³ = 7.85 g/cm³ = 490 lb/ft³ Air: 1.225 kg/m³ = 0.001225 g/cm³ = 0.0765 lb/ft³ Gold: 19300 kg/m³ = 19.3 g/cm³ = 1205 lb/ft³

Industry Specific Conversions:

Gasoline: SG = 0.75 = 750 kg/m³ = 6.25 lb/US gal Crude Oil: 30°API = SG 0.876 = 876 kg/m³ Sea Water: SG = 1.025 = 1025 kg/m³ = 8.55 lb/US gal Mercury: SG = 13.534 = 13534 kg/m³ = 845 lb/ft³

Imperial to Metric:

1 lb/ft³ = 16.018 kg/m³ 1 lb/in³ = 27.68 g/cm³ 1 slug/ft³ = 515.4 kg/m³ 1 lb/US gal = 119.8 kg/m³

Free Online Density Converter Tool

Working with density measurements across different unit systems? Our free Density Converter tool is the perfect solution for engineers, scientists, students, and professionals in various industries. This comprehensive tool allows you to instantly convert between all major density units including SI/metric units (kg/m³, g/cm³, g/mL), US customary/imperial units (lb/ft³, lb/in³), and specialized industry units (specific gravity, API gravity, Baumé scale). There's no download required, no registration needed, and your data privacy is guaranteed as all calculations happen securely right in your browser.

How to Use This Density Converter (Step-by-Step):

  • Select Your Input: Enter the value you want to convert in any of the input fields (kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/ft³, specific gravity, etc.).
  • Automatic Calculation: The tool automatically calculates and displays all equivalent values in real-time as you type.
  • Review Results: Check the conversion results section for accurate conversions between all related density units.
  • Copy or Reset: Use the "Copy Results" button to save your conversions or "Reset All" to start over with new values.

Real-Life Example & Use Case:

Imagine you're a materials engineer working with international specifications. Your US-based supplier provides density in lb/ft³ (62.4), but your European client requires it in kg/m³. Instead of manually calculating the conversion (which could lead to errors), you simply enter "62.4" in the lb/ft³ field. The tool instantly shows you the equivalent value of 1000 kg/m³, confirming this is the density of water and ensuring accurate communication between international teams.

Benefits & Who Should Use This Tool:

  • Engineers & Scientists: Convert between different density measurement systems for research, design, and analysis.
  • Students & Educators: Learn density unit relationships and verify homework calculations with instant conversions.
  • Chemical & Process Industries: Convert between specific gravity, API gravity, and absolute density units.
  • Construction & Materials: Work with density specifications across metric and imperial unit systems.
  • Quality Control: Ensure consistency in density measurements across different testing standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between density and specific gravity?
Density is an absolute measurement (mass per unit volume), while specific gravity is a relative measurement comparing a substance's density to that of water (at 4°C). Specific gravity is dimensionless, while density has units.

How do I convert between kg/m³ and g/cm³?
1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³. To convert g/cm³ to kg/m³, multiply by 1000. To convert kg/m³ to g/cm³, divide by 1000.

Is my data kept private when I use this converter?
Absolutely. All calculations happen locally in your browser. Your density values are never sent to any server, meaning we never see, store, or have access to your data. It is 100% secure and private.

Can I use this tool on my mobile device?
Yes, our website and converter are fully responsive and optimized to work perfectly on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.

What are API gravity and Baumé scale used for?
API gravity is used in the petroleum industry to classify crude oils (higher API = lighter oil). Baumé scale is an older system used for measuring density of liquids, with different scales for liquids heavier and lighter than water.

Why Choose Our Density Converter?

Our online density converter stands out from other tools because of its comprehensive coverage, accuracy, and privacy features. Unlike many online converters, we don't process your data on our servers - all calculations happen in your browser. This means your proprietary density data, research measurements, and industrial specifications remain completely private. The tool also works offline once loaded, making it reliable even with unstable internet connections.

Common Applications of Density Conversion

Density conversion has numerous practical applications across various fields:

  • Materials Science: Convert between different density units for material characterization and selection
  • Chemical Engineering: Work with density measurements in process design and fluid dynamics
  • Petroleum Industry: Convert between API gravity and absolute density for crude oil classification
  • Quality Assurance: Ensure consistency in density specifications across international standards
  • Education & Research: Teach and learn density concepts using consistent unit conversions

Understanding Density Measurement Systems

Density measurement involves several different unit systems, each serving specific contexts:

  • SI System (kg/m³): International standard, used in scientific research and most countries
  • Metric System (g/cm³, g/mL): Common in chemistry and everyday measurements
  • Imperial System (lb/ft³, lb/in³): Used in the United States and some engineering fields
  • Relative Scales (SG, °API, Baumé): Dimensionless scales comparing to reference substances
  • Specialized Units (slug/ft³): Used in specific engineering contexts involving mass and force

Professional Applications

This converter is essential for professionals in various fields:

  • Civil Engineering: Convert soil and construction material densities between unit systems
  • Pharmaceutical Industry: Work with density specifications for drug formulations
  • Food Science: Convert density measurements for quality control and recipe standardization
  • Environmental Science: Measure and convert densities of air, water, and pollutants
  • Metallurgy: Work with metal densities for alloy development and quality control

Practical Conversion Examples

Understanding these common conversions can help in technical work:

  • Water Reference: 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³ = 62.43 lb/ft³ = SG 1.0
  • Crude Oil: 35°API = SG 0.85 = 850 kg/m³ = 53.1 lb/ft³
  • Conversion Factors: 1 lb/ft³ = 16.018 kg/m³, 1 g/cm³ = 0.03613 lb/in³
  • Industry Standards: Light crude: >31.1°API, Medium crude: 22.3-31.1°API, Heavy crude: <22.3°API