🧪 Density Converter
By ToolNimba Editorial Team · Updated 2026-06-19
Type in any box and every other unit updates instantly.
This density converter changes a density value from one unit to another, covering both metric and imperial units. Type a number into any field, for example kilograms per cubic metre or grams per cubic centimetre, and every other unit updates at once. It is built for students, engineers, chemists, and anyone comparing material data sheets that use mixed units.
What is the Density Converter?
Density is how much mass is packed into a given volume. It is written as mass divided by volume, so a unit like kilograms per cubic metre tells you how many kilograms one cubic metre of a substance weighs. Water, for instance, has a density of about 1000 kilograms per cubic metre, which is the same as 1 gram per cubic centimetre. Because density combines a mass unit and a volume unit, there are many ways to express the same value, and that is exactly where a converter saves time.
The trick to converting density cleanly is to pick one base unit and route everything through it. This tool uses kilograms per cubic metre as the base. Each supported unit has a fixed factor that turns it into the base, so converting is two steps: multiply your input by its factor to reach kilograms per cubic metre, then divide by the target factor to reach the unit you want. Grams per cubic centimetre and grams per millilitre share the same factor of 1000 because one millilitre is exactly one cubic centimetre.
Mixing metric and imperial density units is a common source of error on engineering drawings and material specifications. A pound per cubic foot is roughly 16 kilograms per cubic metre, while a pound per cubic inch is a much denser figure of about 27680 kilograms per cubic metre because a cubic inch is a tiny volume. Converting by hand invites slips with the powers of ten, so letting the tool hold the exact factors keeps your results consistent.
When to use it
- Comparing a material data sheet that lists density in g/cm³ with a spec given in kg/m³.
- Converting a US engineering value in pounds per cubic foot into metric units for a report.
- Checking a chemistry result in grams per millilitre against a textbook value in kg/m³.
How to use the Density Converter
- Find the unit your known density is in, such as kg/m³ or g/cm³.
- Type the value into that field.
- Read the converted result from any of the other unit fields.
- Clear the field or type a new number to start another conversion.
Formula & method
Worked examples
Convert 2.7 g/cm³ (the density of aluminium) into kg/m³.
- g/cm³ factor to base = 1000
- to base: 2.7 × 1000 = 2700 kg/m³
- target is kg/m³ (factor 1), so divide by 1
Result: 2.7 g/cm³ = 2700 kg/m³
Convert 62.4 lb/ft³ (about the density of water) into kg/m³.
- lb/ft³ factor to base = 16.018463
- to base: 62.4 × 16.018463 = 999.55 kg/m³
- target is kg/m³, so the result stays in kg/m³
Result: 62.4 lb/ft³ ≈ 999.5 kg/m³ (close to water at 1000)
Convert 1000 kg/m³ into g/cm³.
- source is kg/m³ (factor 1), so base value = 1000
- g/cm³ factor to base = 1000
- result = 1000 ÷ 1000 = 1
Result: 1000 kg/m³ = 1 g/cm³
Conversion factors used (multiply by this to reach kg/m³)
| Unit | Factor to kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m³) | 1 |
| Grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³) | 1000 |
| Grams per millilitre (g/ml) | 1000 |
| Pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³) | 16.018463 |
| Pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³) | 27679.905 |
Approximate density of common materials
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|
| Air (sea level) | 1.2 | 0.0012 |
| Water (4°C) | 1000 | 1.00 |
| Aluminium | 2700 | 2.70 |
| Steel | 7850 | 7.85 |
| Gold | 19300 | 19.30 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing g/cm³ with kg/m³ by a factor of 1000. One gram per cubic centimetre equals 1000 kilograms per cubic metre, not 1. Dropping the factor of 1000 is the most frequent density slip, so let the tool handle it.
- Treating pounds per cubic inch like pounds per cubic foot. A cubic inch is far smaller than a cubic foot, so lb/in³ is about 1728 times denser than lb/ft³. Using the wrong one throws the result off by orders of magnitude.
- Assuming g/ml differs from g/cm³. A millilitre is defined as exactly one cubic centimetre, so grams per millilitre and grams per cubic centimetre are the same number. No extra conversion is needed between them.
Glossary
- Density
- Mass divided by volume. It measures how much matter is packed into a given amount of space.
- Base unit
- The single reference unit a converter routes every value through. Here it is kilograms per cubic metre.
- Conversion factor
- A fixed multiplier that turns one unit into another. Each density unit has a factor to the base unit.
- Specific gravity
- A density compared to water. Numerically it equals the density in g/cm³, since water is about 1 g/cm³.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert kg/m³ to g/cm³?
Divide the kg/m³ value by 1000. For example, 2700 kg/m³ divided by 1000 is 2.7 g/cm³. This tool does it instantly when you type in either field.
Is g/ml the same as g/cm³?
Yes. One millilitre is defined as exactly one cubic centimetre, so a value in grams per millilitre is numerically identical to the same value in grams per cubic centimetre.
What is the density of water in these units?
Water at 4°C is about 1000 kg/m³, which equals 1 g/cm³, 1 g/ml, or roughly 62.4 lb/ft³. It is the most common reference point for density.
How many kg/m³ are in one lb/ft³?
One pound per cubic foot equals about 16.018463 kilograms per cubic metre. So to convert lb/ft³ to kg/m³ you multiply by roughly 16.02.
Why is lb/in³ such a large number in kg/m³?
A cubic inch is a very small volume, so packing one pound into it gives a high density. One lb/in³ is about 27680 kg/m³, far more than one lb/ft³.
Does this density converter work offline?
Yes. All calculations run in your browser with vanilla JavaScript. Once the page has loaded there is no network call, so it keeps working without a connection.