Gasoline Density Calculator

| Added in Chemistry

What is Gasoline Density and Why Should You Care?

Understanding gasoline density helps you ensure your vehicle is getting the right amount of fuel. It also affects storage, transport, and energy calculations. Whether you're a car enthusiast, an engineer, or someone trying to optimize fuel efficiency, knowing gasoline density can save you time and money.

How to Calculate Gasoline Density

The formula is simple:

[\text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}]

Where:

  • Density is the gasoline density (kg/L or lbs/gallon)
  • Mass is the total mass of gasoline (kg or lbs)
  • Volume is the volume it occupies (L or gallons)

Calculation Example - Metric

Given:

  • Volume: 3 m³
  • Mass: 2250 kg

[\text{Density} = \frac{2250 \text{ kg}}{3 \text{ m}^3} = 750 \text{ kg/m}^3]

Converting to kg/L: 750 kg/m³ = 0.75 kg/L

Calculation Example - Imperial

Given:

  • Volume: 10 gallons
  • Mass: 60 pounds

[\text{Density} = \frac{60 \text{ lbs}}{10 \text{ gallons}} = 6.0 \text{ lbs/gallon}]

Typical Fuel Densities

Fuel Type Density (lbs/gal) Density (kg/L)
Regular Gasoline 6.0-6.5 0.72-0.78
Premium Gasoline 6.1-6.4 0.73-0.77
Diesel 7.0-7.3 0.84-0.88
E85 Ethanol 6.5-6.8 0.78-0.82

Understanding your fuel density is key for optimal vehicle performance and accurate fuel management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gasoline density is the mass of gasoline per unit volume. It typically ranges from 6.0 to 6.5 lbs/gallon or 0.71 to 0.77 kg/L depending on the fuel blend.

Knowing gasoline density helps with fuel efficiency calculations, storage planning, transport logistics, and ensuring your vehicle gets the right amount of fuel.

Regular gasoline has a density of approximately 6.3 lbs/gallon or 0.75 kg/L, though this varies with temperature and fuel composition.

Yes, gasoline expands when heated and contracts when cooled, so density decreases at higher temperatures and increases at lower temperatures.