Metal Density Chart: Understanding Material Density for Weight Calculation
The metal density chart helps you understand how heavy different metals are measured in kg/m³, g/cm³, or lb/in³ so you can calculate material weight accurately.
Whether you’re welding, machining, or just curious, understanding metal density can save time, money, and mistakes.
When I first started working with metals, I had no idea why my steel felt way heavier than aluminum, even though they were the same size. The reason? Density. And once I learned to read a metal density chart, things started to click.
Key Takeaways
- Density = how much mass fits into a certain volume.
- Common unit: kg/m³ or g/cm³.
- Steel’s average density = 7850 kg/m³.
- Tungsten is one of the densest metals.
- You can use a Metal Weight Calculator to find a metal’s total weight fast.
- Light metals (like aluminum) are great for transport; heavy metals (like tungsten) are great for strength and stability.
What Is Metal Density?
Density is basically how tightly packed the atoms are in a material. The formula is simple:
Density (ρ) = Mass / Volume
If you take a cube of steel and a cube of aluminum, both the same size, the steel cube will weigh more because its atoms are packed closer together.
When you see something like 7850 kg/m³, it means 1 cubic meter of steel weighs 7850 kilograms. That’s a lot of metal.
Let’s make that easier:
- Steel: ~7.85 g/cm³
- Aluminum: ~2.70 g/cm³
- Copper: ~8.96 g/cm³
If you held a 1 cm³ cube of each, copper would feel the heaviest in your hand (and your wrist would agree).
How to Calculate Density (Step-by-Step)
You can calculate the density of any material if you know two things:
- Its mass (in grams or kilograms).
- Its volume (in cubic centimeters or cubic meters).
Here’s the step-by-step:
- Measure the mass with a scale.
- Measure the volume. If it’s a cube, use length × width × height.
- Apply the formula: Density = Mass / Volume.
Example:
If a metal cube weighs 157 grams and its volume is 20 cm³, then:
ρ = 157 ÷ 20 = 7.85 g/cm³
That’s right — you’ve got steel.
Quick Unit Conversion Chart
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 g/cm³ | 1000 kg/m³ |
| 1 lb/in³ | 27680 kg/m³ |
| 1 kg/m³ | 0.001 g/cm³ |
So when you read “7850 kg/m³,” that’s just another way of saying “7.85 g/cm³.”
Metal Density Chart (in kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/in³)
Below is a metal density chart for common materials — useful for quick reference when you’re calculating weight or comparing materials.
| Metal | Density (kg/m³) | Density (g/cm³) | Density (lb/in³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 2700 | 2.70 | 0.098 |
| Brass | 8500 | 8.50 | 0.307 |
| Bronze | 8800 | 8.80 | 0.318 |
| Copper | 8960 | 8.96 | 0.324 |
| Gold | 19300 | 19.30 | 0.698 |
| Iron | 7870 | 7.87 | 0.284 |
| Lead | 11340 | 11.34 | 0.410 |
| Nickel | 8900 | 8.90 | 0.322 |
| Silver | 10490 | 10.49 | 0.379 |
| Stainless Steel | 8000 | 8.00 | 0.289 |
| Steel (Carbon) | 7850 | 7.85 | 0.284 |
| Tin | 7300 | 7.30 | 0.264 |
| Titanium | 4500 | 4.50 | 0.162 |
| Tungsten | 19300 | 19.30 | 0.697 |
| Zinc | 7135 | 7.13 | 0.258 |
4. What Is the Order of Density of Metals?
If you line metals up from lightest to heaviest, you’ll get this rough order:
Aluminum → Titanium → Iron → Copper → Silver → Lead → Tungsten → Gold
And to answer one of the common questions:
7850 kg/m³ is the density of steel.
That’s your benchmark metal. When comparing others, steel often sits in the middle of the pack — not too light, not too heavy.
The Top 5 Densest Metals
These metals feel incredibly heavy for their size. Some are even used in armor or spacecraft.
| Rank | Metal | Density (g/cm³) | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osmium | 22.59 | Densest known natural metal |
| 2 | Iridium | 22.56 | Used in spark plugs and satellites |
| 3 | Platinum | 21.45 | Very rare and shiny |
| 4 | Rhenium | 21.02 | Used in high-temp jet engines |
| 5 | Tungsten | 19.30 | So dense it sinks in mercury |
When I first held a small tungsten cube — barely the size of a sugar cube — I couldn’t believe how heavy it was. It actually surprised me, like lifting a brick that’s only an inch wide.
What About the Lightest Metals?
Not every metal will sink in water. Some are so light they can float on other metals.
| Metal | Density (g/cm³) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium | 0.53 | Batteries |
| Magnesium | 1.74 | Automotive parts |
| Aluminum | 2.70 | Airplanes, cans |
| Titanium | 4.50 | Medical implants, aerospace |
If you’re designing something that needs to move fast, light metals are your best friends. I once replaced steel parts in a model drone with aluminum ones — the difference in weight was massive (and yes, it actually flew longer).
The 23 Heavy Metals List
People often talk about “heavy metals,” especially in environmental science. Here’s a quick list of 23 common ones:
Silver, Gold, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, Chromium, Iron, Manganese, Cobalt, Tin, Bismuth, Antimony, Thallium, Tungsten, Uranium, Vanadium, Platinum, Rhenium, and Osmium.
Not all are bad, but some — like mercury and lead — are toxic in large amounts.
The Density of Common Metals (Everyday Examples)
| Metal | Density (kg/m³) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | 7850 | Used in construction, cars, tools |
| Stainless Steel | 8000 | Slightly denser due to chromium |
| Iron | 7870 | Core building metal |
| Copper | 8960 | Excellent conductor |
| Aluminum | 2700 | Lightweight and strong |
| Brass | 8500 | Decorative and musical uses |
| Titanium | 4500 | Strong but light |
| Zinc | 7135 | Used in galvanizing |
| Tin | 7300 | Used in soldering |
| Tungsten | 19300 | Ultra-dense and heat-resistant |
How to Test Metal Density at Home
Testing density isn’t rocket science — you can actually do it in your garage.
Here’s how:
- Weigh the metal with a digital scale.
- Measure its volume. If it’s irregular, submerge it in water and measure the displacement.
- Use the formula: Mass ÷ Volume = Density.
- Compare your result with a chart like the one above.
I did this once with a random “mystery rod” from my workshop. It turned out to be brass, not bronze — because its density matched perfectly at 8.5 g/cm³.
Using Metal Density to Calculate Weight
You can use density to figure out the weight of any metal object.
Here’s the simple formula:
Weight = Volume × Density
For example: If you have a steel block measuring 0.5 m × 0.3 m × 0.1 m, Volume = 0.015 m³, Density (steel) = 7850 kg/m³, Weight = 0.015 × 7850 = 117.75 kg
If you don’t want to do the math by hand, try using a Metal Weight Calculator — it does the same formula instantly.
What Is the Density of a Metal?
It depends entirely on what the metal is made of. Different atomic structures pack differently. For example:
- Iron atoms are dense and heavy.
- Aluminum atoms are light and spaced out.
- Tungsten atoms are extremely tightly packed.
So, when people ask, “What is the density of a metal?” — there isn’t just one answer. Each metal has its own fingerprint.
Why Does Density Matter?
If you’re in construction, you care about weight. If you’re in aerospace, you care about the strength-to-weight ratio. If you’re in manufacturing, you care about cost efficiency.
Knowing density helps in:
- Choosing the right material for your project.
- Calculating load-bearing capacities.
- Estimating shipping weight.
- Preventing structural failure.
Once, I used the wrong material for a shelf bracket because I guessed the weight wrong — it bent overnight. Density could’ve saved me a headache.
Top 3 Densest Metals
People often ask which metals top the list. Here they are again:
- Osmium – 22.59 g/cm³
- Iridium – 22.56 g/cm³
- Platinum – 21.45 g/cm³
These are so heavy that even a small sample feels unreal.
FAQs About Metal Density
Q: What is 7850 kg/m³ density? A: That’s the density of steel.
Q: What is the density of 1 kg of steel? A: Steel density doesn’t change — 7850 kg/m³. 1 kg just means you have 0.000127 m³ of steel.
Q: How to calculate the density of a material? A: Divide mass by volume. That’s it.
Q: What metal has the highest density? A: Osmium — 22.59 g/cm³.
Q: What metal has the lowest density? A: Lithium — 0.53 g/cm³.
Q: What is the density of stainless steel? A: Around 8000 kg/m³ (8.0 g/cm³).
Q: What’s the density of copper? A: 8960 kg/m³ (8.96 g/cm³).
Final Thoughts
Knowing metal density isn’t just for engineers — it’s practical for anyone cutting, welding, or designing with metal.
The metal density chart gives you numbers, but experience gives you a feel. I’ve learned to tell metals apart just by the sound they make when dropped: steel rings, aluminum clunks softly.
Still, when accuracy matters, use tools. The Metal Weight Calculator makes density math painless and accurate in seconds.
So next time someone asks, “What’s the density of steel?” you can smile and say, “7850 kg per cubic meter. I’ve got the chart right here.”
