Density Conversion Calculator
Convert any density unit to any other. Supports 21 units from g/cm³ to slug/ft³, with full conversion formula and factor shown.
Density Unit Conversion Table
The conversion table below lists all supported density units with their symbols and the factor to multiply by to convert to or from kg/m³, which serves as the universal base unit.
| Unit Name | Symbol | Multiply by to get kg/m³ | 1 kg/m³ equals (this unit) |
|---|
How to Convert Between Density Units
Density conversion uses a base unit to bridge between any two units. This calculator uses kg/m³ as the common base. To convert from Unit A to Unit B, multiply the value by Unit A’s factor (to reach kg/m³), then divide by Unit B’s factor.
Example: 50 lb/ft³ to kg/m³
50 × 16.018463 = 800.923 kg/m³
Example: 800.923 kg/m³ to lb/ft³
800.923 / 16.018463 = 50 lb/ft³
This two-step method means you never need a separate conversion factor for every possible pair of units. Just know each unit’s factor relative to kg/m³ and you can convert between any combination.
Metric Density Units
Metric density units are based on SI standards. The most common are g/cm³ (also equal to g/mL), kg/m³, and g/L. Water has a density of 1 g/cm³, 1000 kg/m³, or 1 kg/L at 4°C. Kilograms per cubic meter is the official SI unit for density and the preferred unit in scientific reporting.
US Customary Density Units
US customary density units include pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³), pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³), ounces per cubic inch (oz/in³), and ounces or pounds per gallon. Note that gallon-based units differ between Imperial (UK) and US fluid gallon systems since the two gallon volumes are not equal.
The Slug Per Cubic Foot Unit
The slug is the unit of mass in the foot-pound-second system. It is defined as the mass that accelerates at 1 ft/s² when a force of 1 pound-force is applied. One slug equals approximately 14.5939 kg, so one slug per cubic foot equals 515.379 kg/m³. This unit appears in aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics when using imperial units throughout.
Density of Common Substances Across Units
Density values in different unit systems can appear very different numerically for the same substance. Water is 1 g/cm³, 1000 kg/m³, and 62.428 lb/ft³. Understanding which unit system your data uses prevents errors in material selection and engineering calculations.
Using the Density Conversion Table
The conversion table shows the factor to multiply any unit by to reach kg/m³ (the third column), and what 1 kg/m³ equals in each unit (the fourth column). To convert between two non-base units, divide the Factor_A by Factor_B, or let the calculator do it automatically.
Density Conversion in Chemistry and Engineering
Density conversion in chemistry is essential when working with solutions and mixing substances measured in different unit systems. Labs in the US may report in g/mL while SI-standard publications use kg/m³. Engineering projects that span metric and US customary documentation also require frequent conversion, particularly for material specifications, fluid flow calculations, and structural load analysis.