How this conversion works
Density is mass divided by volume. Each density unit's factor is its mass unit divided by its volume unit, both expressed in SI terms. For example, one pound per cubic foot is 0.45359237 kg ÷ 0.028316846592 m³ ≈ 16.0185 kg/m³.
Grams per cubic centimeter, grams per milliliter and kilograms per liter are the same size, each 1,000 kg/m³.
Formula: result = value × (base units per source unit) ÷ (base units per target unit)
Where this conversion is used
- Engineering and material data sheets in kg/m³, g/cm³ or lb/ft³.
- Converting liquid weights per gallon for chemicals and fuels.
- Lab work comparing measured densities with reference values.
Worked example: Water (1 g/cm³) in other units
- 1 g/cm³ = 1,000 kg/m³.
- 1,000 ÷ 16.0185 ≈ 62.428 lb/ft³.
- In pounds per US gallon: 1,000 ÷ 119.8264 ≈ 8.345 lb/gal.
Unit definitions
| Unit | In kilograms per cubic meter | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) | 1 | |
| Gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) | 1,000 | |
| Gram per milliliter (g/mL) | 1,000 | |
| Kilogram per liter (kg/L) | 1,000 | |
| Gram per liter (g/L) | 1 | |
| Pound per cubic foot (lb/ft³) | 16.018463374 | |
| Pound per cubic inch (lb/in³) | 27,679.9047102 | |
| Pound per gallon (US) (lb/gal) | 119.826427317 |
Grams per cubic centimeter to kilograms per cubic meter
| Gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) | Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 500 |
| 0.8 | 800 |
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 1.5 | 1,500 |
| 2 | 2,000 |
| 2.7 | 2,700 |
| 7.85 | 7,850 |
| 11.34 | 11,340 |
Pounds per cubic foot to kilograms per cubic meter
| Pound per cubic foot (lb/ft³) | Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16.0185 |
| 10 | 160.1846 |
| 50 | 800.9232 |
| 62.4 | 999.5521 |
| 100 | 1,601.8463 |
| 150 | 2,402.7695 |
| 490 | 7,849.0471 |
Precision and sources
Results are calculated from the definitions above and rounded to 12 significant digits; the converter shows up to eight decimal places and the tables four. Reference: NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units, Appendix B.
Frequently asked questions
What is the density of water?
About 1,000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³) near 4 °C. It falls slightly as water warms, to about 997 kg/m³ at 25 °C.
Is g/mL the same as g/cm³?
Yes, because 1 mL = 1 cm³ exactly.