Jun 2025

Density of Gold: A Simple Guide and Tables

By StoneX Bullion

Gold’s density is one of its most valuable properties, and this precious metal is the sixth-densest element in the world. In this blog, we explore gold’s dense properties, how to measure gold density, and how gold’s density contributes to its value.

What is density?

Density refers to the amount of mass packed into a given volume of material. It’s calculated using the formula: Density = Mass/Volume and typically expressed in units like grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³) or kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m³).

What is gold’s density?

Gold has a density of 19.32 grams per cubic centimetre (19.32g/cm³) or 19,320 kilograms per cubic metre (19.32kg/m³). This makes it one of the densest naturally occurring metals on Earth.

To put this into perspective, iron has a density of around 7.87g/cm³, meaning gold is more than twice as dense as iron. That’s why even small gold bars or coins can feel surprisingly heavy for their size.

So, what does this mean exactly?

In jewellery, gold’s weight gives items a solid and premium feel, helping resist wear over time.
When it comes to electronics, density is linked to conductivity. Gold’s compact atomic structure makes it ideal for precise, high-performance electrical components.
For bullion investors, gold’s density means that even small volumes of gold represent significant value, making it an efficient way to store and transport wealth.
Gold’s density is also used to identify counterfeits and confirm the authenticity of pure gold pieces.

Gold density chart

Gold’s density is most commonly expressed in cm³, but the gold density chart below shows how dense gold is in different units.

MEASUREMENT	DENSITY OF GOLD
Kilograms per millimetre (kg/mm³)	0.01932
Grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³)	19.32
Tonnes per cubic metre (t/m³)	19.32
Kilograms per litre (kg/L)	19.32
Kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m³)	19,320
Ounces per cubic inch (oz/inch³)	11.17
Ounces per cubic foot (oz/ft³)	19,298
Pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³)	1,206

How is gold’s density measured?

As mentioned earlier, gold’s density is measured using the formula: Density = Mass/Volume. So to find the density of gold, we need to start with two measurements:

Mass, which is measured using a precise digital scale
Volume, which can be determined using the water displacement method or a hydrostatic balance.

Water displacement method

The water displacement method is one of the most simple and effective ways to measure an object’s volume. It’s based on the idea that when you place an object into water, it pushes some of the water out of the way. The amount of water displaced is equal to the volume of the object.

When you combine this with an accurate mass reading, you should have a reliable calculation of gold’s density. Here’s how the water displacement method works:

Fill a measuring container with water and record the starting water level
Gently submerge the gold item in the water, making sure it’s fully underwater but not touching the sides or bottom of the container
Record the new water level after the gold is submerged
Subtract the starting level from the new level to get the volume of the gold item in cubic centimetres.

To find the volume, you can weigh the gold item using a precise scale to find its mass in grams, then apply it to the formula above.

Hydrostatic balance

The hydrostatic balance method is a more precise way to measure gold’s density. It’s based on the idea that objects weigh less in water than they do in air, and the difference in their weight can be used to calculate volume.

Here’s how the hydrostatic balance method works:

Use a sensitive digital scale to weigh the gold item in air (i.e. weighing it as you normally would).
Weigh the gold again while it’s submerged in water (this is usually done by submerging it with a fine wire so it doesn’t touch the container). The item will weigh slightly less in water.
Subtract the underwater weight from the air weight. This difference tells you how much water the gold has displaced. In other words, its volume.

You can then apply the volume to the formula above to calculate density.

This method is often used by jewellers and professionals to confirm the authenticity of gold items. Because we know that gold’s density is 19.32g/cm³, you can compare results with this figure to check if an item is made of pure gold. If the calculated density is significantly lower, it could mean that the item contains other precious metals or is a counterfeit.

See: How To Spot Fake Gold Coins and Avoid Fraud

How much water equals the mass of a cube of gold?

The two methods explained above both use water to calculate gold’s density. This is a common concept called specific gravity, which is the ratio of a material’s density compared to that of water. Since we know that water has a density of 1g/cm³, gold’s specific gravity of 19.3 means that it’s 19.3 times heavier than water, volume for volume.

This essentially means that one cubic centimetre of water weighs 1 gram, while one cubic centimetre of gold weighs 19.3 grams. So, to match the mass of a 1cm³ gold cube, you’d need more than 19cm³ of water. In other words, gold is more than 19 times heavier than water by volume.

This density is what gives gold its heft, and why even small bars and coins can feel significantly heavier than they look. It’s also one of the reasons why gold has remained a reliable store of value throughout history. Its high density essentially means high value in a compact form.

What affects the density of gold?

There are two key factors that can influence the exact measurement of gold’s density: purity levels and temperature.

Purity levels

The purity of gold plays a major role in its density. Pure, 24 carat gold has the highest possible density, which as we now know is 19.32g/cm³. That said, most gold jewellery, and some gold goins, are made from gold alloys that combine gold with other metals like silver, copper, or zinc. These added metals are usually less dense than gold, so the item’s overall density would be less.

For example, 22-carat gold will have a slightly lower density than 24-carat gold, and 18 or 14-carat gold will be even lighter due to a higher percentage of alloyed metals.

Temperature

Like most materials, gold expands slightly when heated. When it expands, its volume increases but its mass stays the same. This results in a lower density. This change doesn’t really matter in everyday settings, but it can be important in industrial or laboratory environments.

Density of gold alloys

When gold is alloyed with other materials – usually metals that are less dense than gold – the resulting alloy has a lower overall density than gold’s standard 19.32cm³. The more non-gold items in an alloy, the lighter the alloy becomes per unit of volume.

Here’s a look at the density of different gold alloys:

GOLD PURITY	TYPICAL DENSITY
24 CARAT (100% GOLD)	19.32g/cm³
22 CARAT (91.7% GOLD)	~17.7g/cm³
18 CARAT (75% GOLD)	~15.6g/cm³
14 CARAT (58.3% GOLD)	~12.9g/cm³

The above is just a guideline and the exact density of a gold alloy will depend on which metals are added and in what proportions. For example:

Yellow gold is usually made from copper and silver alloys
White gold might contain palladium or nickel
Rose gold contains a higher proportion of copper.

So, why should any of this matter? Well, understanding the differences in density can be useful when you’re comparing two gold coins of equal weight but different purities. If you have a 1oz 24k gold coin, it’ll be physically smaller than a 1oz 22k gold coin because the pure gold is denser. The 22k coin would need to take up more space to reach the same weight.

Gold density compared to other metals

Let’s take a look at how gold’s density compares to other metals.

METAL	DENSITY (G/CM³)
PLATINUM	21.45
GOLD (24K)	19.32
SILVER	10.49
COPPER	8.96
IRON	7.87

As we can see, platinum is slightly denser than gold, but gold is still significantly more dense compared to metals like silver, copper, and iron.

Why gold’s density is so valuable

We know that gold’s density makes it valuable, but in what ways exactly? Here’s how gold’s density can be beneficial:

Space efficiency

Gold’s density means you can store a large amount of value in a small physical volume. Gold takes up far less space compared to other metals or forms of wealth, making it an efficient way for both individual investors and institutions to manage reserves.

Cost-effective storage

The fact that gold takes up less room than other assets of equal value means it can significantly reduce storage costs, which are usually priced based on space.

Security and portability

Because gold bars and coins are so dense and compact, they’re easier to transport, handle, and keep safe and secure. This is handy for both private investors and central banks who need to move wealth around discreetly.

Durability and longevity

Gold’s density is part of the reason why it’s so physically strong and resilient. This ability to resist wear and tear is why gold is so ideal for jewellery, coins, and electronics.

Mining and refining

In mining, density makes it easier to separate gold from other materials. For example, panning and sluicing, which are two methods of gold mining, take advantage of gold’s high density to isolate it from lighter sediments.

Other physical properties of gold

Density is just one of gold’s physical properties that make it such a valuable metal. Let’s take a look at some of its other physical properties below:

PROPERTY	VALUE
CHEMICAL SYMBOL	Au
ATOMIC NUMBER	79
ATOMIC MASS	196.967
MELTING POINT	1,064°C
BOILING POINT	2,700°C
COLOR	Yellow
LUSTER	Metallic
HARDNESS	2.5 (Mohs scale)
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY	Excellent
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY	Excellent
MALLEABILITY	Highly malleable
DUCTILITY	Highly ductile
SOLUBILITY	Insoluble in water

Which of these physical properties make gold stand out amongst other metals?

Besides its density, gold’s softness and malleability make it ideal for crafting intricate jewellery and coins. It also has an excellent ability to conduct electricity and heat, making it valuable for electronics. Finally, gold is corrosion resistant, which means it won’t tarnish or oxidise, helping preserve its appearance and value over time.