Pick a liquid to fill in a typical density, or type your own. Density changes with temperature, so use the value for your sample.
Same value at other densities
| Density (g/mL) | Result |
|---|
How to convert mg/kg to mg/L
- Choose mg/kg to mg/L (or the other direction).
- Enter the concentration.
- Pick the liquid or type its density. The density unit can be g/mL, kg/m3 or lb per US gallon.
- Read the result, the same value in micrograms and grams, and the table of other densities.
Worked examples
Typical densities
| Liquid | Density (g/mL) |
|---|---|
| Water at about 20 C | 0.998 |
| Seawater | about 1.025 |
| Whole milk | about 1.03 |
| Ethanol | about 0.789 |
| Olive oil | about 0.91 |
| Diesel | about 0.83 |
| Petrol (gasoline) | about 0.74 |
| Honey | about 1.42 |
These are typical values. Real samples vary with temperature, grade and what is dissolved in them. Use the density from your lab report or product sheet when you have it.
Frequently asked questions
Is mg/kg the same as mg/L?
Only when the density is 1 kg/L, which is close to true for dilute water solutions. For oils, solvents, milk or concentrated solutions the two differ by the density.
Is mg/kg the same as ppm?
Usually yes. 1 mg/kg is 1 part per million by weight. In water analysis, ppm is often used for mg/L, which is only the same when the density is 1.
Why do I need the density?
mg/kg divides by weight and mg/L divides by volume. Density links weight and volume, so without it the conversion cannot be exact.
What if my density is in kg/m3?
Choose kg/m3 in the density unit list. The tool divides by 1,000 to get kg/L. Water at 998 kg/m3 is 0.998 kg/L.
Does temperature matter?
Yes. Liquids expand when warm, so their density drops. For careful work use the density measured at the temperature of your sample.