Volume to Mass Calculator
Enter a volume and density (or pick a material from the library) to get the mass instantly. Switch to reverse mode to find the volume from a known mass. Supports metric and imperial units throughout, with a 50-plus material preset library covering foods, metals, liquids, gases, and construction materials.
The density-mass-volume relationship
Mass, volume and density are always linked by one formula: density = mass / volume. Rearranging gives you mass = density x volume (to find how heavy something is) and volume = mass / density (to find how much space it takes up). Every calculation in this tool is one of those three rearrangements. Density is the key bridge: it is a physical property of the material itself, so once you know which substance you are working with, any two of the three quantities immediately determine the third.
How to use this calculator
Choose what you want to solve for using the "Solve for" selector at the top. If you want the mass from a volume, select "Mass" and enter the volume plus choose a material or type a custom density. If you want the volume from a known mass, select "Volume" and enter the mass plus density. To measure the density of an unknown substance whose mass and volume you already know, select "Density" and enter both. The material preset library covers 50-plus substances across food, metals, liquids, solids and gases. Every unit selector is independent, so you can mix and match (enter a volume in cups, a density in g/mL, and receive the mass in ounces) and the calculator converts automatically.
Cooking and baking applications
Most recipe measurements are in volume (cups, tablespoons, millilitres) but weight is more precise for baking. One cup of all-purpose flour weighs about 125 g (density 529 kg/m3), while one cup of white sugar weighs about 200 g (density 845 kg/m3). Using this calculator you can convert any volume measure to grams or ounces for any ingredient. Select the ingredient from the food presets, enter the volume in your preferred unit, and read off the mass. This is especially helpful when scaling recipes up or down, or when a recipe only lists weights and your measuring tools are volumetric.
Engineering and industrial uses
Engineers routinely need to estimate the mass of a structural component or the volume of a storage tank for a given payload. A steel beam with a cross-section of 0.01 m2 and a length of 5 m has a volume of 0.05 m3; at a density of 7850 kg/m3 it weighs 392.5 kg. Similarly, a tank designed to hold 2000 kg of ethanol (density 789 kg/m3) must have an internal volume of at least 2.534 m3. This calculator handles both directions and supports the engineering unit systems (kg/m3, lb/ft3, g/cm3) commonly found in datasheets and specifications.
Density of common materials
| Material | Density (kg/m3) | Density (g/cm3) | Floats in water? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Styrofoam (EPS) | 25 | 0.025 | Yes |
| Cork | 240 | 0.24 | Yes |
| Wood (pine) | 500 | 0.50 | Yes |
| Wood (oak) | 770 | 0.77 | Yes |
| Ethanol | 789 | 0.789 | Yes |
| Ice (0 C) | 917 | 0.917 | Yes |
| Olive oil | 900 | 0.90 | Yes |
| Gasoline | 720 | 0.72 | Yes |
| Water (4 C) | 1000 | 1.000 | Neutral |
| Seawater | 1025 | 1.025 | No |
| Concrete | 2300 | 2.30 | No |
| Aluminum | 2700 | 2.70 | No |
| Glass (common) | 2500 | 2.50 | No |
| Granite | 2700 | 2.70 | No |
| Iron (cast) | 7200 | 7.20 | No |
| Steel (carbon) | 7850 | 7.85 | No |
| Copper | 8960 | 8.96 | No |
| Lead | 11340 | 11.34 | No |
| Mercury (liquid) | 13534 | 13.53 | No |
| Gold | 19300 | 19.30 | No |
| Platinum | 21450 | 21.45 | No |
Values at room temperature (approx. 20 C) unless noted. Sources: Engineering Toolbox and CRC Handbook.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for converting volume to mass?
Mass = density x volume. You need to know the density of the material in consistent units. For example, water at 4 C has a density of 1000 kg/m3 (or 1 g/mL), so 2 litres (0.002 m3) has a mass of 1000 x 0.002 = 2 kg. If density is in g/cm3 and volume in mL, the result is directly in grams without further conversion.
Why does the same volume weigh different amounts for different materials?
Because materials pack their atoms or molecules more or less tightly. A litre of mercury (density 13534 kg/m3) weighs 13.5 kg, while a litre of ethanol (density 789 kg/m3) weighs only 0.79 kg. The atoms of heavier elements like mercury are both more massive and packed closer together, giving a much higher density. For solids, crystal structure and porosity also play a role.
How do I convert volume to mass for cooking ingredients?
Select the ingredient from the material preset dropdown (the food group includes all-purpose flour, bread flour, white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, salt, butter, rice, oats, cocoa and baking soda), then choose your volume unit (cup, tablespoon, teaspoon or millilitre) and enter the amount. The mass appears in the result. For example, 1 cup of white sugar (845 kg/m3 x 0.000237 m3 = 0.200 kg = 200 g).
Can this calculator find volume from mass?
Yes. Switch the "Solve for" selector to "Volume (from mass + density)", enter the mass and choose a unit, then pick a material or enter a custom density. The volume result appears immediately in your chosen unit. This is useful when you know the weight of a substance and need to know how much space it will occupy, for example when designing storage containers.
What density should I use for water?
Water density depends on temperature. At 4 C (its maximum density) it is exactly 1000 kg/m3 (1 g/mL or 1 kg/L). At 20 C it is 998.2 kg/m3, close enough to 1000 for most practical purposes. Seawater is about 1025 kg/m3 because dissolved salts increase the density. The presets include both "Water (4 C)" and "Water (20 C)" for precision work.
How do I measure the density of an unknown material?
Measure the mass of a sample using a scale, then measure its volume (by geometry for regular shapes, or by water displacement for irregular ones), then divide: density = mass / volume. Select "Solve for density" in this calculator and enter those two values. The density appears in whatever unit you choose, and you can compare it with the reference table to help identify the material.
Why does 1 litre of water equal 1 kilogram?
The kilogram was originally defined in 1795 as the mass of one litre of water at 4 C. The modern SI kilogram is now defined via the Planck constant, but at 4 C the relationship still holds to six significant figures: 1 L of water = 0.999972 kg. For everyday purposes 1 L = 1 kg is exact.