About

Professional painting contractors and finishing specialists often encounter a logistical mismatch: paint manufacturers frequently sell industrial coatings by weight (kilograms), while application coverage is calculated by volume (liters). Miscalculating this conversion leads to material shortages on site or excessive waste, impacting project margins.

This tool addresses that discrepancy by incorporating the specific gravity (density) of the material. Unlike generic water-based converters, this calculator accounts for the significant density differences between solvents, epoxies, and zinc-rich primers. Accurate conversion requires the formula mV ≈ ρ, where density ρ acts as the critical coefficient.

Formulas

The relationship between mass, volume, and density is governed by the following physical definitions:

To find Volume (L):

V = mρ

To find Mass (kg):

m = V × ρ

Where:

m is mass in kg.
V is volume in L.
ρ is density in kg/L.

Reference Data

Coating Type	Approx. Density (kg/L)	10 kg in Liters	10 L in kg
Clear Varnish	0.92	10.87	9.20
Oil-Based Enamel	1.15	8.70	11.50
Latex (Wall Paint)	1.35	7.41	13.50
Acrylic Emulsion	1.40	7.14	14.00
Epoxy Floor Coating	1.55	6.45	15.50
Red Oxide Primer	1.60	6.25	16.00
High-Build Mastic	1.80	5.56	18.00
Zinc-Rich Primer	2.65	3.77	26.50

Frequently Asked Questions

Specific gravity depends on the ratio of solids (pigments, binders) to liquids (solvents, water). A zinc-rich primer contains heavy metallic particles, making it much denser (~2.5 kg/L) than a clear varnish (~0.9 kg/L) which is mostly solvent.

Yes. Liquids expand when heated. However, for standard estimation in construction (between 15°C and 30°C), the volume fluctuation is negligible compared to the margin of error in application thickness.

Check the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by the manufacturer. Look for "Specific Gravity" or "Density" typically expressed in g/cm³ or kg/L.

No. Most architectural paints are heavier than water. Using 1.0 kg/L for a standard wall paint (approx 1.35 kg/L) would result in underestimating the paint needed by nearly 35%.