Unit Conversion

Density-Based Conversion Calculator

Converts between the mass and the volume of a liquid using its density — for weighing viscous vehicles and measuring solvents in compounding.

Volume of Water

100.00mL

100 g of Water · density 1 g/mL

Inputs

Substance

Pick a listed liquid, or Custom to type your own density.

Density (g/mL)

g/mL

Density of Water: 1 g/mL

Mass (g)

The weighed amount of the liquid.

Common conversions

Working

Mass100g

Density1g/mL

Substitution100 ÷ 1 = 100.00mL

CategorySolvent

UsesDiluent, Vehicle, Reconstitution

Density comparison

Reference densities in g/mL; the bar is scaled to 1.5 g/mL.

Water

Ethanol (95%)

0.816

Glycerol

1.26

Propylene Glycol

1.04

Mineral Oil

0.88

Olive Oil

0.92

Honey

1.42

Density reference table

Substance	Density (g/mL)	Category	Common uses	Temperature
Water	1.000	Solvent	Diluent, Vehicle, Reconstitution	20-25°C
Ethanol (95%)	0.816	Solvent	Extraction, Preservative, Tinctures	20-25°C
Glycerol	1.260	Vehicle	Syrups, Ointments, Humectant	20-25°C
Propylene Glycol	1.040	Vehicle	Injectables, Topicals, Solvent	20-25°C
Mineral Oil	0.880	Vehicle	Laxative, Ointment base, Lubricant	20-25°C
Olive Oil	0.920	Vehicle	Ointments, Emulsions, Carrier	20-25°C
Honey	1.420	Vehicle	Cough syrups, Demulcent, Sweetener	20-25°C
Water (4°C)	1.000	Reference	Standard reference	4°C
Ethanol (100%)	0.789	Solvent	Tinctures, extracts	20°C

Density (ρ) = Mass ÷ Volume

Volume = Mass ÷ Density · Mass = Volume × Density

Density is quoted in g/mL, so the arithmetic is only correct when mass is in grams and volume in millilitres. A density above 1 means the liquid is heavier than water — its volume is smaller than its mass in grams; below 1, the volume is larger.

Mass Conversion CalculatorConverts the mass into mg, g, kg or other units first.

References

Stockton SJ. Stoklosa and Ansel's Pharmaceutical Calculations. 16th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.

Common questions

Viscous liquids such as glycerol, honey and syrups cling to glassware, so a measured volume delivers less than it reads. Weighing on a calibrated balance avoids that loss, and density turns the prescribed volume into the mass to weigh.

Numerically almost, near room temperature. Specific gravity is density divided by the density of water, so it has no units; because water is about 1.00 g/mL, the two figures match to two decimals for everyday pharmacy work.

Ethanol–water mixtures are denser than pure ethanol because water is heavier. The exact figure depends on strength and temperature, so use the value for the grade you actually hold.

Yes. Most liquids expand when warmed, so their density falls. The reference values here are for 20–25 °C; measure at room temperature or use a density for your actual temperature.

About this calculator

Density links how much a liquid weighs to how much space it takes up. Glycerol and honey are too viscous to measure accurately by volume, so formulas are often converted to a mass and weighed; ethanol is lighter than water, so 100 g of it fills more than 100 mL.

Use it when

A formula gives a volume but the liquid is easier to weigh

Converting a weighed quantity of solvent into millilitres

Checking a w/w and v/v preparation against each other

Compounding tips

Always measure liquids at room temperature (20-25°C)

Account for temperature effects on density

Use calibrated glassware for volume measurements

Verify density values in USP/NF monographs

Check before relying on it

Density changes with temperature and, for mixtures such as ethanol–water, with composition

Use the density from the monograph or certificate of analysis for the batch you hold

The mass and volume units are labels here: enter grams with millilitres (g/mL density) for a correct answer

Prepared by the PharmaWallah student team. Verify results with your textbook or instructor. Report an error · Editorial policy