Density Quick Reference Chart – Metals, Alloys, Plastics & More | SheetGauge

Density Quick Reference Chart

Density values for metals, steel alloys, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, plastics, construction materials, and liquids — in kg/m³, g/cm³, and lb/ft³. With unit converter and sheet weight calculator.

Searchable Table 80+ Materials Unit Converter Weight Calculator Mobile Friendly

Material Density Table

Search by material name or filter by category. Click any row to auto-fill the weight calculator below.

Showing all materials
Material Category kg/m³ g/cm³ lb/ft³

* All values are typical reference figures at 20°C. Actual density may vary by alloy grade, heat treatment, porosity, and manufacturing method. Sources: Engineers Notebook, Metal Density Chart, Science Notes.

Density Unit Converter

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kg/m³
g/cm³
lb/ft³
lb/in³
kg / m³
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kilograms per cubic metre
g / cm³
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grams per cubic centimetre
lb / ft³
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pounds per cubic foot
lb / in³
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pounds per cubic inch
t / m³
—
tonnes per cubic metre
kg / L
—
kilograms per litre

Volume → Weight Calculator

Enter any volume (sheet, bar, block) and material density to get instant weight results

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mm
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cm³
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kg
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kg
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lbs
Total (lbs)
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lbs
Total (tonnes)
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t
Weight (kg) = Length (mm) × Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) × Density (g/cm³) ÷ 1,000,000
Equivalent: Weight (kg) = Volume (cm³) × Density (g/cm³) ÷ 1000  |  1 kg = 2.20462 lbs

Density Ranges by Category

Quick visual overview of typical density ranges across material families

Pure Metals

Range: 0.53 – 22.59 g/cm³
  • Osmium (densest)22.59
  • Tungsten19.25
  • Lead11.34
  • Copper8.96
  • Iron7.87
  • Titanium4.51
  • Aluminum2.70
  • Magnesium1.74

Steel & Alloys

Range: 2.65 – 8.99 g/cm³
  • Inconel 6258.44
  • SS 316L7.98
  • SS 3047.93
  • Carbon Steel7.85
  • Cast Iron7.20
  • Ti Grade 54.43
  • Al 70752.81
  • Al 50832.65

Plastics & Polymers

Range: 0.85 – 2.20 g/cm³
  • PTFE / Teflon2.20
  • PVC (rigid)1.40
  • Polycarbonate1.20
  • Acrylic (PMMA)1.19
  • Nylon 6/61.14
  • ABS1.05
  • HDPE0.96
  • Polypropylene0.91

Construction Materials

Range: 0.45 – 2.80 g/cm³
  • Granite2.70
  • R/C Concrete2.50
  • Glass2.50
  • Plain Concrete2.40
  • Brick (common)1.92
  • Sand (dry)1.60
  • Timber (oak)0.72
  • Timber (pine)0.53

Liquids & Fluids

Range: 0.72 – 13.55 g/cm³
  • Mercury13.55
  • Sea Water1.025
  • Water (20°C)1.000
  • Engine Oil0.88
  • Diesel0.85
  • Hydraulic Oil0.87
  • Petrol / Gasoline0.75
  • Ethanol0.79

Pro Tips — Using Density in Engineering

g/cm³ = t/m³ (always)

The numerical value in g/cm³ is identical to tonnes per cubic metre (t/m³). Steel at 7.85 g/cm³ = 7.85 t/m³. This simplifies large volume calculations — multiply volume in m³ directly by density in t/m³ to get tonnes.

Same Alloy Family, Different Grade = Different Density

Aluminum 5083 = 2.65 g/cm³ while 7075 = 2.81 g/cm³ — a 6% difference. Always use the specific alloy density for precise procurement weight calculations rather than the generic "aluminum = 2.70" figure.

Density Decreases Slightly with Temperature

Metals expand when heated, reducing density. The values in this table are reference values at 20°C. For high-temperature applications (furnace parts, exhaust systems), use manufacturer data at operating temperature for accurate dead-load estimates.

Density × Volume = Mass (not force)

The formula gives mass in kg. To convert to force (Newtons) for structural calculations: multiply kg by 9.81 (gravity). For most fabrication and procurement purposes, mass in kg is sufficient — only needed as force for load calculations.

Density Tells You Nothing About Strength

Titanium (4.51 g/cm³) is about 40% lighter than steel (7.85 g/cm³) yet has comparable or superior strength. Carbon fiber composites are ~1.6 g/cm³ with extremely high specific strength. Always combine density with yield strength data for structural decisions.

Relative Density = Specific Gravity

Specific gravity is the ratio of a material's density to water (1.0 g/cm³). Materials with SG > 1 sink in water; SG < 1 float. Useful for quick material identification: if a metal rod floats, it's likely a light alloy or hollow. If it sinks fast, it may be lead or steel.

Related Tools & Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the density of mild steel in g/cm³ and kg/m³?
Mild steel (carbon steel) has a density of 7.85 g/cm³, which equals 7,850 kg/m³ or 490.1 lb/ft³. This is the standard value used in structural engineering and fabrication weight calculations. The shortcut formula for mild steel sheets is: Weight (kg/m²) = Thickness (mm) × 7.85.
What is the difference between density and specific gravity?
Density is mass per unit volume (kg/m³, g/cm³). Specific gravity (SG) is the ratio of a material's density to the density of water (1.0 g/cm³ at 4°C). Since water = 1.0 g/cm³, the SG value is numerically equal to density in g/cm³ for most engineering purposes. Steel SG = 7.85, Aluminum SG = 2.70, PVC SG = 1.40.
Which metal has the highest density?
Osmium is the densest known element at approximately 22,590 kg/m³ (22.59 g/cm³), closely followed by Iridium at 22,560 kg/m³. Among common engineering metals, Tungsten (19,250 kg/m³) and Lead (11,340 kg/m³) are the densest. For everyday structural metals, copper (8,960) is denser than steel (7,850), which is much denser than aluminum (2,700).
How do I convert kg/m³ to g/cm³?
Divide kg/m³ by 1,000 to get g/cm³: g/cm³ = kg/m³ ÷ 1,000. Examples: 7,850 kg/m³ ÷ 1,000 = 7.85 g/cm³. To convert the other way: g/cm³ × 1,000 = kg/m³. The unit converter tool on this page handles all conversions including lb/ft³ and lb/in³.
What is the density of stainless steel 304 vs 316?
Stainless steel 304 has a density of 7.93 g/cm³ (7,930 kg/m³). Stainless steel 316 and 316L are slightly denser at 7.98 g/cm³ (7,980 kg/m³) due to the addition of molybdenum. The difference is small (~0.6%) and usually negligible for weight estimation purposes, but matters in precision applications or large-quantity procurement.
Is aluminum always 2.70 g/cm³?
No. 2.70 g/cm³ is the density of pure aluminum and common alloys like 1100 and 6061. Different alloys have different densities: 2024 = 2.78, 5083 = 2.65, 7075 = 2.81 g/cm³. For bulk procurement or structural calculations on alloy-specific parts, always use the alloy-specific density value rather than the generic 2.70 figure. The difference can be up to 6%.
What is the density of copper vs brass?
Copper (C110) has a density of 8.96 g/cm³. Brass (C260 Cartridge, 70Cu/30Zn) has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ — about 5% lighter than copper at the same gauge thickness. This is because brass alloys zinc (7.13 g/cm³) into copper, reducing the average density. Naval brass (C464) is slightly lighter still at ~8.41 g/cm³ due to higher zinc content.
Why do some plastics float and others sink in water?
Plastics with density below 1.0 g/cm³ float in water — this includes PP (0.91), HDPE (0.96), and LDPE (0.93). Plastics with density above 1.0 g/cm³ sink — including PVC (1.40), Nylon (1.13–1.14), Polycarbonate (1.20), and PTFE (2.20). This simple float test is a quick method for identifying unknown plastic grades on site.