Specific Volume To Density Converter
A specific volume of 0.001 m3/kg means a density of 1,000 kg/m3, which is water.
Quick answer: Divide 1 by the specific volume. For example, 0.001 m3/kg is 1,000 kg/m3, 0.002 m3/kg is 500 kg/m3 and 0.5 m3/kg is 2 kg/m3.
The specific volume to density formula
Density equals 1 divided by the specific volume.
Use m3/kg for the specific volume to get kg/m3.
Take 0.001 m3/kg. 1 ÷ 0.001 gives 1,000 kg/m3.
Take 0.002 m3/kg. 1 ÷ 0.002 gives 500 kg/m3.
Volume per mass or mass per volume
Specific volume is the volume of a substance divided by its mass, usually in m3/kg or L/kg. It is the reciprocal of density (Energy Education: Specific volume).
A substance with a high density has a low specific volume.
How to convert specific volume to density step by step
- Read the specific volume in m3/kg.
- Divide 1 by that number.
- Read the density in kg/m3.
- Read the same density in lb/ft3 in the last column.
Example 1: 0.001 m3/kg
- Start with 0.001 m3/kg.
- 1 ÷ 0.001 = 1,000.
- The density is 1,000 kg/m3.
0.001 m3/kg = 1,000 kg/m3
Example 2: 0.002 m3/kg
- Start with 0.002 m3/kg.
- 1 ÷ 0.002 = 500.
- The density is 500 kg/m3.
0.002 m3/kg = 500 kg/m3
Example 3: 0.5 m3/kg
- Start with 0.5 m3/kg.
- 1 ÷ 0.5 = 2.
- The density is 2 kg/m3.
0.5 m3/kg = 2 kg/m3
The three examples below use common sizes.
Each one shows the sum in full.
specific volume to density conversion table
| Specific volume (m3/kg) | Density (kg/m3) | Density (lb/ft3) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0001 m3/kg | 10,000 kg/m3 | 624.28 lb/ft3 |
| 0.0005 m3/kg | 2,000 kg/m3 | 124.86 lb/ft3 |
| 0.0008 m3/kg | 1,250 kg/m3 | 78.035 lb/ft3 |
| 0.001 m3/kg | 1,000 kg/m3 | 62.428 lb/ft3 |
| 0.00109 m3/kg | 917.43 kg/m3 | 57.273 lb/ft3 |
| 0.00125 m3/kg | 800 kg/m3 | 49.942 lb/ft3 |
| 0.002 m3/kg | 500 kg/m3 | 31.214 lb/ft3 |
| 0.01 m3/kg | 100 kg/m3 | 6.243 lb/ft3 |
| 0.05 m3/kg | 20 kg/m3 | 1.249 lb/ft3 |
| 0.5 m3/kg | 2 kg/m3 | 0.1249 lb/ft3 |
| 0.82 m3/kg | 1.22 kg/m3 | 0.0761 lb/ft3 |
| 1.2 m3/kg | 0.8333 kg/m3 | 0.052 lb/ft3 |
The highlighted row is the default of the calculator. The last column gives lb/ft3.
A quick mental shortcut for specific volume to density
Take the reciprocal. If the specific volume is 0.002 m3/kg, the density is 500 kg/m3 (Energy Education: Specific volume).
Double the specific volume and the density halves.
Reference values
Water has a specific volume of 1.0 L/kg, which is 0.001 m3/kg, so 1 kg of water takes up 1 litre. Air has a specific volume of about 820 L/kg, so 1 kg of air takes up about 820 litres (Energy Education: Specific volume).
The air figure is 0.82 m3/kg, which gives a density of about 1.22 kg/m3.
Worked examples
A specific volume of 0.0005 m3/kg gives a density of 2,000 kg/m3, and 0.0008 m3/kg gives 1,250 kg/m3.
A specific volume of 0.05 m3/kg gives 20 kg/m3, and 0.5 m3/kg gives 2 kg/m3.
Units to watch
Specific volume in L/kg is 1,000 times larger than in m3/kg. Convert to m3/kg first.
For example, 1.0 L/kg is 0.001 m3/kg, which gives 1,000 kg/m3.
Pounds per cubic foot
The last column shows the same density in lb/ft3. A density of 1,000 kg/m3 is about 62.43 lb/ft3.
A density of 500 kg/m3 is about 31.21 lb/ft3.
Going back
To turn density back into specific volume, divide 1 by the density. For example, a density of 500 kg/m3 gives 0.002 m3/kg (Energy Education: Specific volume).
The two values always multiply to 1.
Quick conversion answers
| Conversion | Result |
|---|---|
| 0.001 m3/kg | 1,000 kg/m3 |
| 0.002 m3/kg | 500 kg/m3 |
| 0.5 m3/kg | 2 kg/m3 |
| 0.82 m3/kg | 1.22 kg/m3 |
Where this conversion is used
Engineers and students switch between steam table and density values.
Anyone reading a data sheet in specific volume can find the density.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Multiplying instead of dividing. The two values are reciprocals.
- Mixing L/kg with m3/kg. Convert first.
- Using a volume with the wrong mass unit. Stay in kg.
- Applying it to a mixed bulk material. The sums assume one uniform substance.
Related converters
More specific volumes
0.0002 m3/kg is 5,000 kg/m3. 0.0004 m3/kg is 2,500 kg/m3. 0.0006 m3/kg is 1,667 kg/m3.
0.0015 m3/kg is 666.7 kg/m3. 0.004 m3/kg is 250 kg/m3. 0.02 m3/kg is 50 kg/m3.
0.1 m3/kg is 10 kg/m3. 0.8 m3/kg is 1.25 kg/m3. 2 m3/kg is 0.5 kg/m3.
Doubling the first number
0.0004 m3/kg is 2,500 kg/m3. 0.0008 m3/kg is 1,250 kg/m3. 0.0012 m3/kg is 833.3 kg/m3.
0.003 m3/kg is 333.3 kg/m3. 0.008 m3/kg is 125 kg/m3. 0.04 m3/kg is 25 kg/m3.
0.2 m3/kg is 5 kg/m3. 1.6 m3/kg is 0.625 kg/m3. 4 m3/kg is 0.25 kg/m3.
Liquids and gases
A liquid has a small specific volume, and a gas has a large one. One kg of air takes up about 820 times the volume of 1 kg of water (Energy Education: Specific volume).
That is why gas data tables list specific volume in large numbers, while liquid tables list small ones.
Mass from volume
Mass equals volume divided by specific volume. At 0.002 m3/kg, 3 m3 of material has a mass of 1,500 kg.
Volume equals mass times specific volume. At 0.002 m3/kg, 250 kg of material fills 0.5 m3.
Link to specific gravity
If the reference is water at about 1,000 kg/m3, then the specific gravity is the density divided by 1,000. A specific volume of 0.0008 m3/kg gives a density of 1,250 kg/m3, so the specific gravity is about 1.25.
A specific volume of 0.002 m3/kg gives a density of 500 kg/m3, so the specific gravity is about 0.5.
Quick check
Multiply your density by your specific volume. The product must come out as 1.
For example, 2,000 kg/m3 times 0.0005 m3/kg is 1, so the pair is consistent.
Why engineers use both
Some tables list specific volume because it is easy to add volumes for a known mass. Other tables list density because it is easy to find mass for a known volume.
Both describe the same property, so you can move between them at any time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert specific volume to density?
Divide 1 by the specific volume.
What is the density at 0.001 m3/kg?
1,000 kg/m3.
What is the density at 0.002 m3/kg?
500 kg/m3.
What is the specific volume of water?
About 0.001 m3/kg, or 1 L/kg.
Are specific volume and density related?
Yes. They are reciprocals.
How do I get lb/ft3?
Multiply kg/m3 by 0.06242796.
Sources
- Energy Education: Specific volume (energyeducation.ca)
