CC to Grams Converter
Cubic centimeters (cc) measure volume, grams measure mass. To convert between them you need the density of the substance. Pick a preset substance or type in a custom density, enter a volume or mass, and the converter does the rest in both directions. All 19 presets use verified density values for kitchen ingredients, liquids, and common powders.
Why you need density to convert cc to grams
Cubic centimeters (cc) and grams measure different things: cc is a unit of volume, grams is a unit of mass. Volume tells you how much space a substance occupies; mass tells you how heavy it is. The bridge between the two is density, defined as mass divided by volume (D = M / V). Water has a density of exactly 1 g/cc at 4 degrees C, which is why 1 cc of water = 1 gram. But 1 cc of honey is 1.42 grams, and 1 cc of flour is only about 0.53 grams, because those substances are denser or lighter than water. Without knowing what substance you are dealing with, the conversion has no unique answer.
The conversion formula
The formula flows directly from the definition of density. To convert volume to mass: grams = cc x density (g/cc). To convert mass back to volume: cc = grams / density (g/cc). For example, 250 cc of all-purpose flour at a bulk density of 0.53 g/cc weighs 250 x 0.53 = 132.5 grams. Conversely, if a recipe calls for 130 grams of flour and you only have a volume measure, you need 130 / 0.53 = 245 cc of flour. Note that kitchen ingredient densities are bulk densities and depend on how tightly the ingredient is packed, so treat these conversions as close estimates rather than exact figures.
How this calculator works
Select a substance from the dropdown to load its preset density value, or choose Custom density and type in your own value. Then choose your conversion direction: cc to grams, or grams to cc. Enter the known quantity and read the result. The Show your work panel breaks down exactly which density was used and how the arithmetic was done, so you can verify or reproduce the calculation manually. The chart shows how mass scales with volume across the range 0 to 500 cc for your chosen substance, useful for planning batch recipes or lab dilutions.
cc, cm3, and mL: are they the same?
Yes, in everyday use they are interchangeable. One cubic centimetre (cm3) equals exactly one millilitre (mL). The abbreviation cc (cubic centimetre) is widely used in medicine and cooking, while cm3 is the formal SI notation and mL is the more common liquid-measure notation. All three represent the same volume, so you can read any cc value as mL without any conversion. The only practical difference is the context: medical dosages and engine displacement often use cc, while chemical labs use cm3 or mL.
Common substance densities
| Substance | Density (g/cc) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.000 | Exact at 4 degrees C; 0.998 at 20 degrees C |
| Milk (whole) | 1.030 | Varies slightly with fat content |
| Honey | 1.420 | Varies with water content |
| Maple syrup | 1.320 | Grade A, ~66 Brix |
| Salt (table) | 1.200 | Bulk/poured density |
| Sugar (granulated) | 0.850 | Bulk density, lightly packed |
| Butter | 0.910 | At room temperature |
| Olive oil | 0.910 | Extra virgin, 20 degrees C |
| Vegetable oil | 0.920 | Typical refined oils |
| Cream (heavy) | 0.990 | 38% fat |
| Rice (raw) | 0.870 | Long-grain white |
| Oats (rolled) | 0.430 | Bulk density |
| Flour (all-purpose) | 0.530 | Spooned, not packed |
| Cocoa powder | 0.410 | Unsweetened, sifted |
| Whey protein powder | 0.500 | Typical commercial blend |
| Cornstarch | 0.560 | Bulk density |
| Baking soda | 0.910 | Bulk density |
| Ice | 0.917 | At 0 degrees C |
| Ethanol (alcohol) | 0.789 | Pure, 20 degrees C |
Approximate densities used by this calculator. Kitchen ingredient densities vary with packing, temperature, and brand.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 cc always equal to 1 gram?
Only for water, and only approximately at room temperature (density of water is 1.000 g/cc at 4 degrees C and 0.998 g/cc at 20 degrees C). For any other substance, 1 cc of that substance weighs more or less than 1 gram depending on its density. Honey at 1.42 g/cc means 1 cc weighs 1.42 grams; rolled oats at 0.43 g/cc means 1 cc weighs only 0.43 grams.
Why does the density of flour or sugar vary between sources?
Kitchen dry ingredients have a bulk density, which depends on particle size, shape, and above all how tightly the material is packed. Sifted flour can have a bulk density as low as 0.45 g/cc; packed flour can reach 0.65 g/cc. Sugar depends on crystal size. The values in this calculator represent lightly spooned (unpacked) densities, which is the standard for recipe conversions, but your actual conversion may differ by 10-20% if you scoop from a compacted container.
How do I convert cc to grams for a substance not in the list?
Choose Custom density from the substance dropdown and enter the density in g/cc (equivalently g/cm3 or g/mL). You can find density values on material data sheets, food labeling databases, or reference tables. Once you have entered the density, type in the volume or mass and the calculator does the rest.
Are cc and mL the same?
Yes. One cubic centimetre (cc or cm3) equals exactly one millilitre (mL). They are different names for the same unit of volume. The cc abbreviation is common in medicine and automotive contexts; mL is standard in chemistry and cooking.
Can I convert grams back to cc with this tool?
Yes. Use the "Convert from" dropdown to switch to "grams to cc (volume)". Enter the mass in grams and the calculator divides by the density to give you the corresponding volume in cubic centimetres.