How the Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator Works
The Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator converts one mass at several densities so you can compare the volumes side by side.
Fix one mass
Enter a mass such as 10 kg and keep it constant.
Run each density
Type the density of the first substance, note the liters, then change the density for the next one.
Compare in the table
Use the comparison table below for 12 common substances at 10 kg.
Use the ratio rule
Volumes scale inversely with density: half the density, double the volume.
Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator Formula
The comparison formula is Va ÷ Vb = ρb ÷ ρa for equal masses. Each volume equals m ÷ ρ.
- Va, Vb
- Volumes of substances a and b, L
- ρa, ρb
- Densities of substances a and b, kg/L
Worked Examples
- Gasoline vs honey: 1.42 ÷ 0.745 = 1.91×, so 10 kg of gasoline fills 1.91 times the space of 10 kg of honey.
- Olive oil vs water: 1.000 ÷ 0.918 = 1.089× the volume of water.
- Mercury vs water: 10 kg of mercury fills 0.739 L, 13.5 times less than 10 kg of water.
Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator Conversion Table
10 kg of gasoline fills 13.42 L, while 10 kg of honey fills 7.04 L. The table compares 10 kg (22.05 lb) of 12 substances.
| Substance | Density (kg/L) | 10 kg in Liters | 10 kg in US gal | Volume vs Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air (15°C) | 0.00123 | 8,163.3 | 2,156.5 | 816.33× |
| Propane (liquid) | 0.493 | 20.284 | 5.358 | 2.028× |
| Gasoline | 0.745 | 13.423 | 3.546 | 1.342× |
| Ethanol | 0.789 | 12.674 | 3.348 | 1.267× |
| Diesel | 0.832 | 12.019 | 3.175 | 1.202× |
| Olive oil | 0.918 | 10.893 | 2.878 | 1.089× |
| Water | 1.000 | 10.000 | 2.642 | 1.000× |
| Whole milk | 1.033 | 9.681 | 2.557 | 0.968× |
| Glycerin | 1.261 | 7.930 | 2.095 | 0.793× |
| Honey | 1.420 | 7.042 | 1.860 | 0.704× |
| Concrete | 2.400 | 4.167 | 1.101 | 0.417× |
| Mercury | 13.534 | 0.739 | 0.195 | 0.07389× |
What is a Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator?
A Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator is a tool that shows how the same mass of different materials fills different volumes.
Equal weight never means equal volume. 10 kg of air at sea level fills 8,163 L; 10 kg of mercury fills 0.74 L. Density is the only factor that sets the gap.
Side-by-side volumes help with product substitution. Swapping canola oil (0.915 kg/L) for olive oil (0.918 kg/L) changes volume by 0.3%, while swapping honey for maple syrup changes volume by 6.8%.
What are the Uses of a Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of a Multi-Substance Comparison Calculator.
Ingredient swaps
Bakers adjust volume when replacing honey with syrup.
Fuel comparisons
Fleet managers compare tank space for diesel, LPG and ethanol at equal energy mass.
Classroom density demos
Teachers show why equal-weight samples fill different beakers.
Packaging lines
Packers reuse one bottle size across products with similar densities.