How the Bulk Density Converter Works
The Bulk Density Converter divides the mass of a loose material by its bulk density, the mass per liter including air gaps. The default 0.65 kg/L fits wood pellets and many granulated products.
Get the loose bulk density
Use a supplier figure or weigh a 1 L jug filled level without tapping.
Enter the mass
Type the bag, tote or silo mass in kilograms.
Enter the bulk density
Type the loose value; the table below lists 12 materials.
Read the bin volume
The liter result shows the space the material fills when poured loosely.
Bulk Density Converter Formula
The bulk density volume formula is Vbulk (L) = Mass (kg) ÷ ρbulk (kg/L). Bulk density relates to particle density through porosity.
- ρbulk
- Loose bulk density including voids, kg/L
- ρparticle
- Density of the solid particles, kg/L
- ε
- Porosity, the void fraction (0 to 1)
Worked Examples
- Wood pellets: 15 kg ÷ 0.65 kg/L = 23.08 L of storage space.
- Sugar crystals (particle 1.59 kg/L, bulk 0.85 kg/L): porosity ε = 1 − 0.85 ÷ 1.59 = 0.465, so 47% of the jar is air.
- Dry sand: 1,000 kg ÷ 1.60 kg/L = 625 L (0.625 m³).
Bulk Density Converter Conversion Table
1 kg of a 0.65 kg/L bulk material fills 1.538 liters. The table lists loose bulk densities and volumes for 12 granular materials.
| Material | Density (kg/L) | lb per ft³ | Liters per 1 kg | Liters per 25 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow (fresh) | 0.100 | 6.2 | 10.000 | 250.00 |
| Coffee beans (roasted) | 0.380 | 23.7 | 2.632 | 65.789 |
| Rolled oats | 0.410 | 25.6 | 2.439 | 60.976 |
| All-purpose flour | 0.530 | 33.1 | 1.887 | 47.170 |
| Plastic pellets (PE/PP) | 0.550 | 34.3 | 1.818 | 45.455 |
| Animal feed pellets | 0.600 | 37.5 | 1.667 | 41.667 |
| Wood pellets | 0.650 | 40.6 | 1.538 | 38.462 |
| Wheat | 0.770 | 48.1 | 1.299 | 32.468 |
| Granulated sugar | 0.850 | 53.1 | 1.176 | 29.412 |
| Table salt | 1.220 | 76.2 | 0.820 | 20.492 |
| Portland cement | 1.440 | 89.9 | 0.694 | 17.361 |
| Dry sand | 1.600 | 99.9 | 0.625 | 15.625 |
What is a Bulk Density Converter?
A Bulk Density Converter is a calculator that turns the mass of a loose powder, granule or pellet into the volume it fills, voids included.
Bulk density is always lower than particle density. The gaps between grains hold air, so a liter of sugar crystals weighs 0.85 kg while a solid lump of sugar weighs 1.59 kg per liter.
Standard tests such as ASTM D7481 and ISO 697 fill a measuring cylinder without compaction and divide the mass by the cylinder volume. The result changes with particle shape, size spread and moisture.
What are the Uses of a Bulk Density Converter?
There are 5 main uses of a Bulk Density Converter.
Silo and hopper sizing
Engineers size bins from the tonnes of feed or grain they hold.
Bag and sack fill
Packers set bag dimensions for 25 kg of powder.
Freight volume
Shippers check container cube for bulk bags.
Dosing equipment
Process teams calibrate volumetric feeders in kg per hour.
Pellet storage
Homeowners size wood pellet stores for a heating season.