Density Converter
Convert between density units (mass per volume). Exact factors, a quick reference table and worked examples.
7 850 kg/m³ = 7.85 g/cm³
The same value in every unit
| Unit | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Kilogram per cubic meter | kg/m³ | 7 850 |
| Gram per cubic centimeter | g/cm³ | 7.85 |
| Kilogram per liter | kg/L | 7.85 |
| Gram per liter | g/L | 7 850 |
| Pound per cubic foot | lb/ft³ | 490.0595 |
| Pound per cubic inch | lb/in³ | 0.2835992 |
| Pound per US gallon | lb/gal | 65.51142 |
| Slug per cubic foot | slug/ft³ | 15.23151 |
How to convert density units
Every density unit is related to one base unit (Kilogram per cubic meter, kg/m³) by an exact factor. To convert, multiply by the factor of the unit you start from and divide by the factor of the unit you want.
value in new unit = value × (factor of old unit ÷ factor of new unit)
For example, 1 kg/m³ = 1 kg/m³ and 1 g/cm³ = 1 000 kg/m³, so 1 kg/m³ = 0.001 g/cm³.
Quick reference table
How many of the units in the column headings make up one of the unit in each row.
| One… | = kg/m³ | = g/cm³ | = kg/L | = g/L | = lb/ft³ | = lb/in³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kg/m³ | 1 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 1 | 0.06242796 | 3.61273 × 10⁻⁵ |
| 1 g/cm³ | 1 000 | 1 | 1 | 1 000 | 62.42796 | 0.03612729 |
| 1 kg/L | 1 000 | 1 | 1 | 1 000 | 62.42796 | 0.03612729 |
| 1 g/L | 1 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 1 | 0.06242796 | 3.61273 × 10⁻⁵ |
| 1 lb/ft³ | 16.01846 | 0.01601846 | 0.01601846 | 16.01846 | 1 | 0.0005787037 |
| 1 lb/in³ | 27 679.9 | 27.6799 | 27.6799 | 27 679.9 | 1 728 | 1 |
| 1 lb/gal | 119.8264 | 0.1198264 | 0.1198264 | 119.8264 | 7.480519 | 0.004329004 |
| 1 slug/ft³ | 515.3788 | 0.5153788 | 0.5153788 | 515.3788 | 32.17405 | 0.01861924 |
Common values: kg/m³ to g/cm³
| Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) | Gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) |
|---|---|
| 1 kg/m³ | 0.001 g/cm³ |
| 2 kg/m³ | 0.002 g/cm³ |
| 5 kg/m³ | 0.005 g/cm³ |
| 10 kg/m³ | 0.01 g/cm³ |
| 20 kg/m³ | 0.02 g/cm³ |
| 50 kg/m³ | 0.05 g/cm³ |
| 100 kg/m³ | 0.1 g/cm³ |
| 200 kg/m³ | 0.2 g/cm³ |
| 500 kg/m³ | 0.5 g/cm³ |
| 1 000 kg/m³ | 1 g/cm³ |
Worked examples
Convert 7 850 kg/m³ to g/cm³
- 1 kg/m³ = 1 kg/m³ and 1 g/cm³ = 1 000 kg/m³.
- 7 850 × 1 ÷ 1 000 = 7.85 g/cm³.
Convert 50 kg/L to kg/m³
- 1 kg/L = 1 000 kg/m³ and 1 kg/m³ = 1 kg/m³.
- 50 × 1 000 ÷ 1 = 50 000 kg/m³.
Convert 250 slug/ft³ to g/cm³
- 1 slug/ft³ = 515.3788 kg/m³ and 1 g/cm³ = 1 000 kg/m³.
- 250 × 515.3788 ÷ 1 000 = 128.8447 g/cm³.
The units explained
| Unit | Symbol | Exact factor | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilogram per cubic meter | kg/m³ | 1 kg/m³ = 1 kg/m³ | SI unit |
| Gram per cubic centimeter | g/cm³ | 1 g/cm³ = 1 000 kg/m³ | Metals, plastics, lab work |
| Kilogram per liter | kg/L | 1 kg/L = 1 000 kg/m³ | Liquids, fuels |
| Gram per liter | g/L | 1 g/L = 1 kg/m³ | Gases, solutions |
| Pound per cubic foot | lb/ft³ | 1 lb/ft³ = 16.01846 kg/m³ | US construction, materials |
| Pound per cubic inch | lb/in³ | 1 lb/in³ = 27 679.9 kg/m³ | US machining, metals |
| Pound per US gallon | lb/gal | 1 lb/gal = 119.8264 kg/m³ | US fuels and liquids |
| Slug per cubic foot | slug/ft³ | 1 slug/ft³ = 515.3788 kg/m³ | US aerospace, fluid mechanics |
Key facts
- ρ = m ÷ V. Water is about 1 000 kg/m³ (998 kg/m³ at 20 °C).
- Typical values: steel 7 850 kg/m³, aluminum 2 700 kg/m³, PLA plastic about 1 240 kg/m³.
- Specific gravity is density divided by the density of water, so it has no unit.
Related converters, guides and tools
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FAQ
How many Gram per cubic centimeter units are in one Kilogram per cubic meter?
1 kg/m³ = 0.001 g/cm³.
How do I convert kg/m³ to g/cm³?
Multiply by 0.001 (the factor 1 ÷ 1 000). To go back, divide by 0.001 or multiply by 1 000.
What is the kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) used for?
SI unit.
What is the gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) used for?
Metals, plastics, lab work.
Are the conversion factors exact?
Where a unit is defined exactly (the inch is 25.4 mm, the pound is 0.45359237 kg, standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s²) the factor is exact; others are given to ten or more digits. Results are shown to seven significant digits.
References
- NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), and NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (general tables of units of measurement).
- BIPM, The International System of Units (SI Brochure), 9th edition; ISO 80000 (quantities and units).
Last reviewed: November 2026.