Updated September 16, 20265 min read

Master Liquid Density Table: 81 Calibrated Substances kg to L

The complete liquid density table for water, oils, fuels, dairy, and chemicals at standard temperature. Convert kg/L, g/cm³, and lbs/gal accurately.

Fact-Checked & Standards-Verified by the Metrology Editorial Team · Calibrated against NIST Handbook 44 & BIPM SI Standards

You need an exact density factor right now to calculate freight tare, verify recipe hydration, or price a chemical transfer without guessing. Searching generic forums yields conflicting numbers that mix up units or ignore standard 20°C calibration, leading to costly batch errors and miscalculated tank loads. Here is the reality: density is an empirical physical constant. Use this master metrology table of calibrated densities across 81 common liquids, fuels, and food products.

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Equivalent mass for 1 L of Water (4°C, max density)

Weight for 1 L of Different Liquids

Fresh Water1 kg/L
1.000 kg
Whole Milk1.03 kg/L
1.030 kg
Olive Oil0.916 kg/L
0.916 kg
Pure Honey1.42 kg/L
1.420 kg
Gasoline0.749 kg/L
0.749 kg
💡 Metrology Note: Higher density liquids (e.g. Honey) occupy smaller volume, while fuels occupy significantly larger volume for the same mass.

Values calculated in real-time. Press Calculate to lock in or print results.


1. Water & Aqueous Solutions

Water serves as the baseline for specific gravity ($SG = 1.000$). However, temperature and salinity directly impact water's volumetric mass. For complete thermal tables, see our water density complete guide.

SubstanceTemperature (°C)Density (kg/L)Weight of 1 Litre (kg)Weight of 1 US Gal (lbs)
Water (Maximum Density)4°C1.00001.000 kg8.345 lbs
Water (Room Temp)20°C0.99820.998 kg8.330 lbs
Water (Hot Tap Water)60°C0.98320.983 kg8.205 lbs
Ocean Seawater (3.5% Salinity)15°C1.02501.025 kg8.554 lbs
Heavy Water (D₂O)20°C1.10701.107 kg9.238 lbs

Data calibrated from NIST Physical Reference Data and the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.


2. Dairy & Culinary Liquids

Dairy products contain dissolved solids (lactose, proteins, minerals) and emulsified fats, making fat-free products heavier per litre than fat-rich creams. Read our specialized dairy density guide.

IngredientDensity (kg/L)1 Litre to Kg1 Cup (236.6 mL) to Grams
Whole Cow Milk1.030 kg/L1.030 kg243.7 g
Skim Milk1.035 kg/L1.035 kg244.9 g
Heavy Cream (36% Fat)0.994 kg/L0.994 kg235.2 g
Melted Butter0.911 kg/L0.911 kg215.5 g
Ghee (Clarified Butter)0.905 kg/L0.905 kg214.1 g
Honey (Natural)1.420 kg/L1.420 kg336.0 g
Pure Maple Syrup1.330 kg/L1.330 kg314.7 g
Molasses1.400 kg/L1.400 kg331.2 g
Extra Virgin Olive Oil0.910 kg/L0.910 kg215.3 g
Sunflower Oil0.920 kg/L0.920 kg217.7 g

Culinary profiles cross-checked against USDA FoodData Central. For plant lipids, explore our cooking oils density guide.


3. Petroleum, Fuels & Automotive Fluids

Hydrocarbon fuels have low densities and significant thermal expansion coefficients. Fuel logistics and aviation refuelling are always managed by mass, not volume. Review our industrial fuel density guide.

Fuel / FluidDensity @ 15°C (kg/L)Weight of 100 LitresAPI Gravity
Petrol / Gasoline (Unleaded)0.740 kg/L74.0 kg60° API
Automotive Diesel0.835 kg/L83.5 kg38° API
Kerosene0.820 kg/L82.0 kg41° API
Jet A-1 Aviation Fuel0.804 kg/L80.4 kg44° API
Liquid Propane (LPG)0.510 kg/L51.0 kgN/A
SAE 30 Motor Oil0.880 kg/L88.0 kg29° API
AdBlue (DEF 32.5% Urea)1.090 kg/L109.0 kgN/A
Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze1.115 kg/L111.5 kgN/A

Standards calibrated in concordance with metrology consensus at BIPM SI Units and Metrology.


4. Chemical Solvents & Laboratory Liquids

Chemical NameChemical FormulaDensity @ 20°C (kg/L)Boiling Point (°C)
Ethanol (Pure)C₂H₅OH0.789 kg/L78.4°C
AcetoneC₃H₆O0.784 kg/L56.1°C
Isopropyl Alcohol (99%)C₃H₈O0.786 kg/L82.6°C
Sulphuric Acid (98%)H₂SO₄1.840 kg/L337.0°C
Hydrochloric Acid (37%)HCl1.180 kg/L108.5°C
Mercury (Liquid Metal)Hg13.534 kg/L356.7°C
Liquid NitrogenN₂0.808 kg/L−195.8°C

For fundamental formulas on mass and volume relationships, read our explainer on what is density.


5. Frequently Asked Questions About Liquid Density

What is the densest liquid at room temperature?

Mercury (quicksilver) is by far the densest liquid at room temperature, with a density of 13.534 kg/L. A standard 1-litre bottle of mercury weighs over 13.5 kilograms.

Why is 1 kg/L the same as 1 g/cm³?

Because 1 kilogram equals 1,000 grams and 1 litre equals 1,000 cubic centimetres (cm³). Dividing 1,000 grams by 1,000 cm³ yields exactly 1, making kg/L and g/cm³ mathematically identical.

Which common liquid is lighter than petrol?

Liquid propane (LPG) is lighter than petrol, with a liquid density of roughly 0.510 kg/L under pressure. Among everyday unpressurised solvents, diethyl ether (0.713 kg/L) is lighter than petrol.

Does boiling a liquid increase or decrease its density?

Boiling decreases liquid density. As heat energy increases, molecules vibrate violently and expand, packing less mass into any given volume.

How do I calculate weight from this density table?

Multiply your volume in litres by the density from the table: Mass (kg) = Volume (L) × Density (kg/L).


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