About

In logistics, freight forwarding, and civil engineering, determining volume from weight is a daily necessity. The relationship between mass and volume is defined by density. For shippers, this calculation is critical for determining "Stowage Factor" - ensuring a vessel or truck does not exceed its volumetric capacity before reaching its weight limit (or vice versa).

This tool acts as a search engine for material properties. Unlike simple water-based converters, this database accounts for the specific density (ρ) of over 100 materials. Users should note that bulk materials like sand or grain have variable densities depending on compaction (loose vs. packed) and moisture content. The values provided represent standard industry averages.

Formulas

Volume is derived by dividing mass by the material"s density. The standard formula uses the Greek letter Rho (ρ) for density.

V_(m³) = m_(kg)ρ_(kg/m³)

Where ρ represents the density of the chosen material. For example, Lead has a high density (11340 kg/m³), resulting in a small volume, while Styrofoam (50 kg/m³) results in a massive volume for the same weight.

Reference Data

Material Category	Material Name	Density (kg/m³)	1000 kg equals (m³)
Construction	Concrete, standard	2400	0.417
Construction	Sand, dry (loose)	1440	0.694
Construction	Sand, wet (packed)	2080	0.481
Metals	Steel, rolled	7850	0.127
Metals	Aluminum	2700	0.370
Liquids	Water, fresh	1000	1.000
Liquids	Fuel Oil (Diesel)	850	1.176
Organic	Pine Wood (seasoned)	500	2.000
Organic	Wheat, bulk	770	1.299
Others	Glass, window	2500	0.400

Frequently Asked Questions

Sand, like many bulk commodities, is compressible. "Loose" sand has air gaps between particles, resulting in lower density (approx 1440 kg/m³). When transported, vibrations cause it to settle ("packed"), eliminating air gaps and increasing density (up to 2080 kg/m³ if wet). Always use the range that matches your transport conditions.

CBM stands for Cubic Meter. It is the standard unit for freight billing in LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments. Carriers charge based on either the actual weight or the volumetric weight (CBM), whichever is higher. This calculator helps estimate that CBM value.

Yes, provided you know the specific gravity or density. Water is the baseline (1000 kg/m³). Oils are typically lighter (float), while syrups or heavy chemicals are denser. Select the specific liquid from the database for accuracy.