Verified by Rachel Mayfield, Supply Chain Analyst - August 2026
Densities of the common engineering metals, in kg/m3 and g/cm3, at room temperature. These are typical handbook values: alloying, temper and porosity move real figures by a percent or two either way, which is why some rows show a range. For weight-critical design work, use the density on the material certificate, not a chart.
Density of engineering metals
| Metal / alloy | Density (kg/m3) | Density (g/cm3) |
|---|
| Aluminium (pure) | 2,700 | 2.7 |
| Aluminium 6082 | 2,710 | 2.71 |
| Aluminium 7075 | 2,810 | 2.81 |
| Brass (CZ121 / general) | 8,400-8,600 | 8.4 |
| Bronze (phosphor) | 8,800 | 8.8 |
| Cast iron (grey) | 7,100-7,300 | 7.1 |
| Chromium | 7,190 | 7.19 |
| Cobalt | 8,850 | 8.85 |
| Copper | 8,960 | 8.96 |
| Gold | 19,300 | 19.3 |
| Inconel 625 | 8,440 | 8.44 |
| Lead | 11,340 | 11.34 |
| Magnesium | 1,740 | 1.74 |
| Mild steel / carbon steel | 7,850 | 7.85 |
| Molybdenum | 10,220 | 10.22 |
| Monel 400 | 8,800 | 8.8 |
| Nickel | 8,900 | 8.9 |
| Platinum | 21,450 | 21.45 |
| Silver | 10,490 | 10.49 |
| Stainless steel 304 | 7,930-8,000 | 7.93 |
| Stainless steel 316 | 7,950-8,000 | 7.95 |
| Tin | 7,280 | 7.28 |
| Titanium (commercially pure) | 4,506 | 4.51 |
| Titanium Ti-6Al-4V | 4,430 | 4.43 |
| Tungsten | 19,250 | 19.25 |
| Zinc | 7,135 | 7.13 |
| Zirconium | 6,520 | 6.52 |
Quick weight arithmetic
Mass = volume x density. A 1 m length of 50 mm x 50 mm mild steel bar is 0.05 x 0.05 x 1 x 7,850 = 19.6 kg. The same bar in aluminium 6082 is 6.8 kg (about a third), in stainless 316 slightly heavier than mild steel at 20 kg, and in titanium 11.1 kg. For sheet, multiply thickness (m) x area (m2) x density.
Three values worth memorising
Steel 7,850 kg/m3, aluminium 2,700 kg/m3, and the steel-to-aluminium ratio of roughly 2.9:1. Most quick mass estimates in general engineering come from those. Note stainless is slightly heavier than mild steel, not lighter - a common wrong assumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of steel?
Mild and carbon steels are typically 7,850 kg/m3 (7.85 g/cm3). Stainless steels are slightly heavier at roughly 7,930-8,000 kg/m3. Alloying changes the figure by a percent or two, so use certificate values for critical work.
What is the density of aluminium?
Pure aluminium is 2,700 kg/m3 (2.70 g/cm3); common structural alloys like 6082 are around 2,710 kg/m3. Aluminium is roughly one third the density of steel, which is the basis of most lightweighting decisions.
Is stainless steel heavier than mild steel?
Slightly, yes. Austenitic stainless grades like 304 and 316 run 7,930-8,000 kg/m3 against mild steel's 7,850 kg/m3 - about 1-2% heavier, not lighter as often assumed.