Cubic Centimeters (cm³)
Cubic Meters (m³)
Liters (L)
Milliliters (mL)
Cubic Inches (in³)
Cubic Feet (ft³)
US Gallons
US Quarts
Kilograms per Cubic Meter (kg/m³)
Grams per Cubic Centimeter (g/cm³)
Pounds per Cubic Foot (lb/ft³)
Pounds per Cubic Inch (lb/in³)
Kilograms per Cubic Centimeter (kg/cm³)
Your calculated weight will appear here.
Understanding the Volume to Weight Calculation
The conversion of volume to weight is a fundamental concept in physics and material science, crucial for logistics, manufacturing, and everyday measurements. It relies on the material's density.
The Formula
The core relationship is defined by density:
Density = Mass / Volume
To find the mass (or weight, in common parlance, assuming standard gravity), we rearrange this formula:
Mass = Density × Volume
Key Components:
Volume: This is the amount of space a substance or object occupies. It can be measured in various units like cubic meters (m³), cubic centimeters (cm³), liters (L), US gallons, cubic feet (ft³), etc.
Density: This is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume of a substance. It's an intrinsic property of materials. Common units include kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³), grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), and pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³).
Mass (Weight): This is the amount of matter in an object. When we talk about "weight" in everyday contexts, we usually mean mass, which is then acted upon by gravity to produce a force (the weight we feel). The standard SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg), and in the imperial system, it's often pounds (lb).
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator takes your input for volume and its corresponding unit, and the material's density with its unit. It first converts the volume to a standard base unit (e.g., cubic meters or cubic centimeters) and the density to a compatible base unit. Then, it applies the formula Mass = Density × Volume to provide the resulting mass in a standard unit (kilograms or pounds).
Common Use Cases:
Shipping & Logistics: Determining the actual weight of goods for shipping costs, especially for bulky but light items where "dimensional weight" might apply.
Material Handling: Estimating the weight of bulk materials like sand, gravel, or grain for loading and transport.
Manufacturing: Calculating the amount of raw material needed for production based on desired product volume.
Cooking & Baking: Converting ingredient volumes to weights for recipes that require precise measurements (though often density tables are used for specific ingredients).
Construction: Estimating the weight of concrete, soil, or fill materials.
Important Considerations:
Accuracy of Density: The accuracy of the result heavily depends on using the correct density for the specific material. Density can vary with temperature, pressure, and the composition of the material.
Unit Consistency: Ensure you are selecting the correct units for both volume and density. The calculator handles conversions, but incorrect initial unit selection will lead to errors.
State of Matter: Density varies significantly between solids, liquids, and gases. Ensure the density value corresponds to the material and its state.
function calculateWeight() {
var volume = parseFloat(document.getElementById('volume').value);
var unitVolume = document.getElementById('unitVolume').value;
var density = parseFloat(document.getElementById('density').value);
var unitDensity = document.getElementById('unitDensity').value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
if (isNaN(volume) || volume <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive volume.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(density) || density <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive density.";
return;
}
var volume_m3 = 0;
// Convert volume to cubic meters (m³)
switch (unitVolume) {
case 'cm3':
volume_m3 = volume / 1000000; // 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³
break;
case 'm3':
volume_m3 = volume;
break;
case 'liters':
volume_m3 = volume / 1000; // 1 m³ = 1000 L
break;
case 'ml':
volume_m3 = volume / 1000000; // 1 m³ = 1,000,000 mL
break;
case 'in3':
volume_m3 = volume * 0.0000163871; // 1 m³ ≈ 61023.7 in³
break;
case 'ft3':
volume_m3 = volume * 0.0283168; // 1 m³ ≈ 35.3147 ft³
break;
case 'gallons':
volume_m3 = volume * 0.00378541; // 1 m³ ≈ 264.172 US gallons
break;
case 'quarts':
volume_m3 = volume * 0.000946353; // 1 m³ ≈ 1056.69 US quarts
break;
default:
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Invalid volume unit selected.";
return;
}
var density_kg_m3 = 0;
// Convert density to kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)
switch (unitDensity) {
case 'kg_m3':
density_kg_m3 = density;
break;
case 'g_cm3':
density_kg_m3 = density * 1000; // 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
break;
case 'lb_ft3':
density_kg_m3 = density * 16.0185; // 1 lb/ft³ ≈ 16.0185 kg/m³
break;
case 'lb_in3':
density_kg_m3 = density * 27679.9; // 1 lb/in³ ≈ 27679.9 kg/m³
break;
case 'kg_cm3':
density_kg_m3 = density * 1000000; // 1 kg/cm³ = 1,000,000 kg/m³
break;
default:
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Invalid density unit selected.";
return;
}
// Calculate mass in kilograms
var mass_kg = volume_m3 * density_kg_m3;
// Convert mass to pounds for imperial display if needed
var mass_lb = mass_kg * 2.20462;
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Calculated Weight: " + mass_kg.toFixed(3) + " kg / " + mass_lb.toFixed(3) + " lb";
}