Density Table of Common Substances (kg/L) | Reference Guide
Reference density table for water, oil, diesel, flour, and more. Learn how mass, volume, and temperature affect kg to litre conversions.
Comprehensive Density Table of Common Substances (kg/L)
This reference guide provides standardized mass-to-volume density values for industrial fluids, food ingredients, and raw materials. All listed values are recorded at standard atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa) and 20°C ambient temperature unless explicitly noted otherwise.
The Core Formula: How Density Connects Mass and Volume
Mass and Volume represent two fundamentally distinct physical properties. Mass quantifies the amount of matter inside an object (measured in Kilograms, kg), whereas Volume measures the three-dimensional space that matter occupies (measured in Litres, L). The physical bridging attribute between these two dimensions is Density (ρ).
The Mass-to-Volume Equation
To convert mass to volume, divide total mass by substance density. To calculate mass from a known volume, multiply volume by density.
Volume (L) = Mass (kg) ÷ Density (kg/L)
Mass (kg) = Volume (L) × Density (kg/L)
For automated calculations across custom liquids and temperatures, use our free mass to volume converter.
Why 1 kg Does Not Always Equal 1 Litre
The 1:1 equivalency between 1 kilogram and 1 litre applies exclusively to pure water at its point of maximum density (4°C). Liquids with lower molecular density occupy more space per unit of mass, whereas denser liquids occupy less space.
- Pure Water (4°C): Density =
1.000 kg/L. Exactly 1 kg occupies 1.000 Litre. - Vegetable Cooking Oil: Density =
0.920 kg/L. 1 kg occupies 1.087 Litres (oil floats on water). - Pure Honey: Density =
1.420 kg/L. 1 kg occupies 0.704 Litres (honey sinks in water).
Standard Density Reference Table (kg/L)
Liquids and Fluids
The table below details standard densities for common commercial, culinary, and fuel liquids measured at 20°C.
| Substance Name | Density (kg/L) | Standard Temp | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Water | 1.000 kg/L | 4°C / 20°C | Convert Water |
| Whole Milk (3.25% Fat) | 1.030 kg/L | 20°C | Convert Milk |
| Vegetable Oil | 0.920 kg/L | 20°C | vegetable oil density calculator |
| Diesel Fuel (Automotive) | 0.832 kg/L | 15°C | convert kg to litres of diesel |
| Gasoline / Petrol (Premium) | 0.750 kg/L | 15°C | Convert Fuel |
Dry Bulk and Granular Materials
Granular materials contain air pockets between individual particles. Their effective mass-to-volume ratio depends on packing tightness and moisture content.
| Material Name | Bulk Density (kg/L) | Packing State | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 0.590 kg/L | Sifted / Loose | calculate the volume of 1 kg of flour |
| Granulated White Sugar | 0.850 kg/L | Standard Commercial | Convert Sugar |
| Dry Building Sand | 1.600 kg/L | Dry & Settled | Convert Sand |
True Density vs. Bulk Density: Why It Matters for Powders
When measuring dry powders and granular powders such as flour, sugar, or cement, a fundamental physical distinction must be made between True Density and Bulk Density.
- True Density: The mass of a solid substance divided by its structural volume, excluding all inter-particle voids and internal pores.
- Bulk Density: The total mass of a powder or aggregate divided by the gross volume it occupies, including internal Void Space (air gaps between particles).
For example, 1 kilogram of sifted all-purpose flour occupies approximately 1.695 Litres (Bulk Density = 0.59 kg/L). However, if that same flour is tightly packed or compacted in a container, the Void Space decreases, raising the Bulk Density up to 0.70 kg/L and decreasing the required volume to 1.428 Litres.
How Temperature and Pressure Affect Density
Liquids undergo Thermal Expansion when thermal energy increases. As temperature rises, molecular vibration increases, driving molecules further apart. This causes Volume to expand while Mass remains unchanged, resulting in a decrease in overall Density.
Water Density Variation Across Temperatures
| Temperature (°C) | Water Density (kg/L) | Volume of 1 kg Water |
|---|---|---|
| 4°C (Maximum Density) | 1.0000 kg/L | 1.0000 L |
| 20°C (Room Temperature) | 0.9982 kg/L | 1.0018 L |
| 100°C (Boiling Point) | 0.9584 kg/L | 1.0434 L |
In commercial logistics, petroleum products rely on strict temperature correction factors (such as ASTM D1250 standards). Because fuels are bought and refined by Mass (kg/metric tons) but distributed to retail consumers by Volume (Litres), a 15°C temperature variation in fuel storage tanks can alter fuel volume by up to 1.2% without changing total mass or chemical energy output.
Likewise, Specific Gravity expresses the ratio of a material’s density relative to pure water at 4°C, providing a dimensionless index used in hydrometer testing and chemical engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Density
What is the density of water in kg/L?
The maximum density of pure water is 1.000 kg/L at 4°C (39.2°F). At standard room temperature (20°C), water density decreases slightly to 0.9982 kg/L. Pure water serves as the universal reference benchmark (Specific Gravity = 1.000) for all hydrometric measurements.
Is kg/L the same as g/cm³?
Yes. Kilograms per litre (kg/L) and grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³) are mathematically identical unit values (1 kg/L = 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³). For example, a diesel density of 0.832 kg/L is equivalent to 0.832 g/cm³ or 832 kg/m³.
How do I convert kg to litres without a density table?
You cannot perform an accurate conversion without knowing or measuring the substance density. Kilograms measure physical mass, whereas litres measure spatial volume. Density is the mandatory physical bridging property required to compute volume from mass.
Need to calculate liquid weight or volume?
Use our interactive real-time calculator with built-in substance densities.