Metal Materials Ranked by Density

All metal materials ranked from heaviest to lightest. Includes kg/m3, lb/ft3, density ranges, and weight per standard container for every material.

Metal Materials Ranked by Density | ExpertToolkit

The densest metals on this list are not the ones most people guess. Osmium (22,590 kg/m³) and iridium (22,560 kg/m³) top the table — the two densest stable elements, nearly twice as dense as lead — with platinum (21,450 kg/m³) close behind and gold and tungsten in the same neighborhood further down. At the other end, magnesium (1,740 kg/m³) is the lightest structural metal, lighter than concrete.

Computed result

1 yd3 to ton

2 ton

Concrete, normal weight: 1 yd3 becomes 2 ton.

Reverse check

2 ton back to yd3

1 yd3

Reverse check returns approximately 1 yd3 for Concrete, normal weight.

Formula

\text{output} = input_volume \times volume_factor \times \text{density} / mass_factor

Calculation steps

Convert volume: 1 yd3 x 0.764554857984 = 0.76455486 m3.

Apply density: 0.76455486 m3 x 2400 kg/m3 = 1 834.93165916 kg.

Convert mass: 1 834.93165916 kg / 907.18474 = 2 ton.

Sig-fig compliance: output rounded to 1 significant figures from the entered value.

Unit and density definitions

yd3 means cubic yard in the material-density registry.

ton means US short ton in the material-density registry.

The bridge between them is Concrete, normal weight density, not a direct unit factor.

Density range table

Low, typical, and high density cases for Concrete, normal weight.

Shows how much the answer moves when density varies for Concrete, normal weight.

density_case	density_kg_m3	output
low	2,200	1.85411043 ton
typical	2,400	2.02266592 ton
high	2,500	2.10694367 ton

Common mistakes with metals ranked by density

Reading a scrap or baled entry as a material property. "Aluminum cans, baled: 480 kg/m³" describes a compressed bale with void space, not the metal. Any weight calculation for solid stock — plate, bar, castings — must use the solid density entry for the alloy, roughly 5–6 times higher for aluminum.

Estimating precious-metal value by size intuition calibrated on steel. 3 kg — two and a half times a same-size steel block.

Sources & Standards

Rumble, J. R., ed. "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics," 105th Edition. CRC Press, 2024.Reference densities of metals, alloys, liquids, and common materials
ASTM International. "Annual Book of ASTM Standards."Material specifications and property standards referenced in density and material calculations

Verify this result

This answer is computed by MaterialDensityRegistry.rankByDensity (v1.0.0). The same inputs always produce the same figure and the same fingerprint below, so you can reproduce and cite it.

Standards

ASTM B258-18 — Standard nominal diameters and cross-sectional areas
NIST SP 330 — The International System of Units (SI) — mass and volume units

Assumptions

Orderdescending typical density
Materials ranked107
Recorded in this receipttop 10 of 107

Inputs & outputs

in · categorymetal
in · materialsosmium,osmium-solid,iridium,iridium-solid,platinum,platinum-solid,rhenium-solid,gold,tungsten,tantalum-solid,tantalum,tungsten-carbide,hafnium-solid,rhodium,rhodium-solid,ruthenium-solid,palladium-solid,palladium,lead,lead-supplemental-1,lead-antimony,silver,molybdenum,molybdenum-solid,bismuth-solid,copper,cupronickel-70-30,copper-c110,cupronickel-90-10,bronze-932,nickel,cobalt,cobalt-solid,hastelloy-c276-supplemental-runtime-1,hastelloy-c276-supplemental-runtime-2,monel-400-supplemental-runtime-2,bronze,monel-400-supplemental-runtime-1,mdx-phosphor-bronze,bronze-phosphor,mdx-nickel-silver,niobium,niobium-solid,brass-70-30,brass,brass-360,mdx-solder-6040,inconel-625,inconel-625-supplemental-1,nichrome,solder-63-37,invar-36,stainless-304,stainless-316,mdx-stainless-304l,mdx-stainless-316l,steel-1018,steel,steel-a36,steel-1045,steel-4140,mdx-tool-steel,mdx-spring-steel,mdx-duplex-2205,mdx-super-duplex-2507,stainless-430,steel-tool-d2,mdx-electrical-steel,bronze-aluminium,babbitt,mdx-babbitt,mdx-solder-lead-free,tin,indium-solid,pewter,alnico,tin-supplemental-1,cast-iron,chromium,chromium-solid,zinc,antimony-solid,zamak-3,zinc-diecast,mdx-zamak,zirconium-solid,sintered-bronze,vanadium,vanadium-solid,gallium-solid,germanium-solid,steel-shot,titanium-grade-2,titanium-grade2,titanium-grade-5,titanium-grade5,powdered-iron,aluminum-7075,aluminum-2024,aluminum-6061,aluminum-5052,silicon-metal,beryllium-solid,magnesium-az31b,magnesium,steel-cans-baled,aluminum-cans-baled
out · ranking[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
out · materialsRanked107
out · heaviestOsmium
out · lightestAluminum cans baled

Computation fingerprint (SHA-256)

9bbd6e1c30aaf126ffba5eeb6bb09912aa5763d41649c627869d1c7963430ecc

metals ranked by density — frequently asked questions

Why are osmium and iridium at the top instead of lead or gold?
Density peaks in the middle of the third row of transition metals, where atoms are both heavy and packed tightly by the lanthanide contraction. Osmium (22,590 kg/m³) and iridium (22,560) sit at that peak; gold (19,300) and tungsten (19,250) are close but not equal; lead — the everyday byword for heavy — is only 11,340, half the leaders.

What is the practical use of a ranked density table?
Three recurring jobs: converting a purchase volume to shipping weight (plate, bar, ingot), choosing counterweight or ballast material where maximum mass in minimum space wins (lead, tungsten), and sanity-checking a scrap load — if a truckload's scale weight implies a density that is not on this table for the claimed material, the load is not what the manifest says.

Why is magnesium listed below some non-metal construction materials elsewhere on the site?
Because at 1,740 kg/m³ magnesium really is lighter than normal-weight concrete (2,400) and about a third lighter than aluminum. It is the lightest metal that can be used structurally, which is why it appears in aerospace castings and racing wheels despite costing more and burning at machining temperatures if handled carelessly.

Weight per 1 m³ — all metal materials

Weight per 1 m³ for 107 metal materials.

Material	kg	lb	metric ton	lb/ft³
Osmium	22 590 kg	49 802.3658 lb	22.59 t	1 410.24852 lb/ft³
Osmium metal solid	22 590 kg	49 802.3658 lb	22.59 t	1 410.24852 lb/ft³
Iridium	22 560 kg	49 736.2272 lb	22.56 t	1 408.37568 lb/ft³
Iridium metal solid	22 560 kg	49 736.2272 lb	22.56 t	1 408.37568 lb/ft³
Platinum	21 450 kg	47 289.099 lb	21.45 t	1 339.0806 lb/ft³
Platinum metal solid	21 450 kg	47 289.099 lb	21.45 t	1 339.0806 lb/ft³

Showing 6 of 14 rows for Material.

Metal materials ranked by density

Metal materials are ranked by typical density in kg/m3, densest first.

Within one category, the densest material can weigh several times more per cubic metre than the lightest; grade, moisture, and packing decide where a specific product falls.

Metal density ranking FAQ

What is the densest metal material? Osmium tops the category at a typical 22590 kg/m3.

Why do ranges appear for some materials? Range values show material variation from grade, moisture, packing, concentration, or supplier condition.

Can I use the ranking for design approval? No. Use project specifications, standards, supplier data, and engineering review for final decisions.

Metal density ranking methodology

Materials are filtered to the Metal category and sorted by typical density in kg/m3.

When a density range exists, the typical value is used for ordering and the range is shown separately.

The table is a registry reference, not a supplier certificate or material specification.

Metal Materials Ranked by Density

All metal materials ranked from heaviest to lightest. Includes kg/m3, lb/ft3, density ranges, and weight per standard container for every material.

Metal Materials Ranked by Density | ExpertToolkit

Computed result

1 yd3 to ton

2 ton

Concrete, normal weight: 1 yd3 becomes 2 ton.

Reverse check

2 ton back to yd3

1 yd3

Reverse check returns approximately 1 yd3 for Concrete, normal weight.

Formula

\text{output} = input_volume \times volume_factor \times \text{density} / mass_factor

Calculation steps

Convert volume: 1 yd3 x 0.764554857984 = 0.76455486 m3.

Apply density: 0.76455486 m3 x 2400 kg/m3 = 1 834.93165916 kg.

Convert mass: 1 834.93165916 kg / 907.18474 = 2 ton.

Sig-fig compliance: output rounded to 1 significant figures from the entered value.

Unit and density definitions

yd3 means cubic yard in the material-density registry.

ton means US short ton in the material-density registry.

The bridge between them is Concrete, normal weight density, not a direct unit factor.

Density range table

Low, typical, and high density cases for Concrete, normal weight.

Shows how much the answer moves when density varies for Concrete, normal weight.

density_case	density_kg_m3	output
low	2,200	1.85411043 ton
typical	2,400	2.02266592 ton
high	2,500	2.10694367 ton

Common mistakes with metals ranked by density

Estimating precious-metal value by size intuition calibrated on steel. 3 kg — two and a half times a same-size steel block.

Sources & Standards

Rumble, J. R., ed. "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics," 105th Edition. CRC Press, 2024.Reference densities of metals, alloys, liquids, and common materials
ASTM International. "Annual Book of ASTM Standards."Material specifications and property standards referenced in density and material calculations

Verify this result

This answer is computed by MaterialDensityRegistry.rankByDensity (v1.0.0). The same inputs always produce the same figure and the same fingerprint below, so you can reproduce and cite it.

Standards

ASTM B258-18 — Standard nominal diameters and cross-sectional areas
NIST SP 330 — The International System of Units (SI) — mass and volume units

Assumptions

Orderdescending typical density
Materials ranked107
Recorded in this receipttop 10 of 107

Inputs & outputs

in · categorymetal
in · materialsosmium,osmium-solid,iridium,iridium-solid,platinum,platinum-solid,rhenium-solid,gold,tungsten,tantalum-solid,tantalum,tungsten-carbide,hafnium-solid,rhodium,rhodium-solid,ruthenium-solid,palladium-solid,palladium,lead,lead-supplemental-1,lead-antimony,silver,molybdenum,molybdenum-solid,bismuth-solid,copper,cupronickel-70-30,copper-c110,cupronickel-90-10,bronze-932,nickel,cobalt,cobalt-solid,hastelloy-c276-supplemental-runtime-1,hastelloy-c276-supplemental-runtime-2,monel-400-supplemental-runtime-2,bronze,monel-400-supplemental-runtime-1,mdx-phosphor-bronze,bronze-phosphor,mdx-nickel-silver,niobium,niobium-solid,brass-70-30,brass,brass-360,mdx-solder-6040,inconel-625,inconel-625-supplemental-1,nichrome,solder-63-37,invar-36,stainless-304,stainless-316,mdx-stainless-304l,mdx-stainless-316l,steel-1018,steel,steel-a36,steel-1045,steel-4140,mdx-tool-steel,mdx-spring-steel,mdx-duplex-2205,mdx-super-duplex-2507,stainless-430,steel-tool-d2,mdx-electrical-steel,bronze-aluminium,babbitt,mdx-babbitt,mdx-solder-lead-free,tin,indium-solid,pewter,alnico,tin-supplemental-1,cast-iron,chromium,chromium-solid,zinc,antimony-solid,zamak-3,zinc-diecast,mdx-zamak,zirconium-solid,sintered-bronze,vanadium,vanadium-solid,gallium-solid,germanium-solid,steel-shot,titanium-grade-2,titanium-grade2,titanium-grade-5,titanium-grade5,powdered-iron,aluminum-7075,aluminum-2024,aluminum-6061,aluminum-5052,silicon-metal,beryllium-solid,magnesium-az31b,magnesium,steel-cans-baled,aluminum-cans-baled
out · ranking[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
out · materialsRanked107
out · heaviestOsmium
out · lightestAluminum cans baled

Computation fingerprint (SHA-256)

9bbd6e1c30aaf126ffba5eeb6bb09912aa5763d41649c627869d1c7963430ecc

metals ranked by density — frequently asked questions

Weight per 1 m³ — all metal materials

Weight per 1 m³ for 107 metal materials.

Material	kg	lb	metric ton	lb/ft³
Osmium	22 590 kg	49 802.3658 lb	22.59 t	1 410.24852 lb/ft³
Osmium metal solid	22 590 kg	49 802.3658 lb	22.59 t	1 410.24852 lb/ft³
Iridium	22 560 kg	49 736.2272 lb	22.56 t	1 408.37568 lb/ft³
Iridium metal solid	22 560 kg	49 736.2272 lb	22.56 t	1 408.37568 lb/ft³
Platinum	21 450 kg	47 289.099 lb	21.45 t	1 339.0806 lb/ft³
Platinum metal solid	21 450 kg	47 289.099 lb	21.45 t	1 339.0806 lb/ft³

Showing 6 of 14 rows for Material.

Metal materials ranked by density

Metal materials are ranked by typical density in kg/m3, densest first.

Within one category, the densest material can weigh several times more per cubic metre than the lightest; grade, moisture, and packing decide where a specific product falls.

Metal density ranking FAQ

What is the densest metal material? Osmium tops the category at a typical 22590 kg/m3.

Why do ranges appear for some materials? Range values show material variation from grade, moisture, packing, concentration, or supplier condition.

Can I use the ranking for design approval? No. Use project specifications, standards, supplier data, and engineering review for final decisions.

Metal density ranking methodology

Materials are filtered to the Metal category and sorted by typical density in kg/m3.

When a density range exists, the typical value is used for ordering and the range is shown separately.

The table is a registry reference, not a supplier certificate or material specification.

Metal Materials Ranked by Density

Metal Materials Ranked by Density | ExpertToolkit

Computed result

Reverse check

Formula

Calculation steps

Unit and density definitions

Density range table

Common mistakes with metals ranked by density

Sources & Standards

Verify this result

Related material conversions

metals ranked by density — frequently asked questions

Weight per 1 m³ — all metal materials

Metal materials ranked by density

Metal density ranking FAQ

Metal density ranking methodology

Metal Materials Ranked by Density

Metal Materials Ranked by Density | ExpertToolkit

Computed result

Reverse check

Formula

Calculation steps

Unit and density definitions

Density range table

Common mistakes with metals ranked by density

Sources & Standards

Verify this result

Related material conversions

metals ranked by density — frequently asked questions

Weight per 1 m³ — all metal materials

Metal materials ranked by density

Metal density ranking FAQ

Metal density ranking methodology