Litres to kilograms in chemical quotes: density, pack sizes and pack multiples

To convert litres to kilograms you need the product's density: mass (kg) = volume (L) × density (kg/L). For example, 1,000 L of 50% sodium hydroxide solution at about 1.52 g/cm³ is roughly 1,520 kg. The right density is the one on your product's SDS or technical data sheet, and it changes with temperature.

Unit errors are among the most expensive mistakes on a chemical quote because they look reasonable. A price per kilogram applied to a quantity in litres can be off by almost half for a dense acid, and nobody notices until the invoice.

What is the formula for litres to kilograms?

Mass (kg) = volume (L) × density (kg/L), and the other way round, volume (L) = mass (kg) ÷ density (kg/L). A density of 1 g/cm³ is the same as 1 g/mL and 1 kg/L, so a density written in g/cm³ can be used directly.

Some data sheets give specific gravity or relative density instead: the ratio of the product's density to the density of water at a reference temperature. It has no unit. Around room temperature water is close to 1 kg/L, so for quoting purposes the specific gravity is close to the density in kg/L; for precise work, use the reference temperatures stated on the sheet.

Where should the density come from?

• Section 9 of the SDS, physical and chemical properties, which normally states density or relative density.
• The technical data sheet (TDS) for the product, which may give a range for the specification.
• The certificate of analysis for a specific batch, when the customer is invoiced on measured values.

Always record the temperature with the value. Liquids expand as they warm, so the same mass takes up more volume in summer than in winter. Record the source too, so the next person can check it.

Worked examples

EXAMPLE · approximate values. Densities from manufacturer product pages and data sheets, at the temperature each source states; for a quote, the figure on your own product's SDS or TDS applies.

What do IBCs, drums, jerricans and bags actually hold?

IBC (intermediate bulk container)

An IBC is a large pallet-mounted container, typically a plastic tank in a steel cage, for liquids and some solids. The most common nominal size is 1,000 L, but nominal is not the same as full: the manufacturer's data sheet for one widely used 1,000 L composite IBC gives a brimful capacity of 1,060 L and a 1,200 × 1,000 mm base. Under the dangerous goods rules an IBC can hold up to 3.0 m³ for solids and liquids of packing groups II and III, so “1 x IBC” on its own does not fix the volume. Quote the net fill your packer actually uses, in litres and in kilograms: 1,000 L of 50% sodium hydroxide solution weighs about 1,520 kg.

Drum

“200 L” is a market label rather than an exact volume. A US 55-gallon drum is about 208.2 L (55 × 3.785 L), and the ISO 15750-2 standard covers tight-head steel drums with a minimum total capacity of 212 L, 216.5 L or 230 L. Total capacity is not the fill. Quote the net content the drum actually carries, in litres or kilograms, and the drum type the customer will receive.

Jerrican

Jerricans, often just called cans in the trade, are commonly 5 L, 10 L, 20 L or 25 L. As with drums, check whether the figure is the nominal size or the net fill, and whether the product is sold by volume or by mass.

Bags and big bags

Solids are usually sold by net mass: 25 kg bags are the common trade size, and big bags (flexible IBCs) carry larger quantities. The net fill of a big bag depends on the product and the bag, so quote the net mass per bag your packer actually uses.

Reading the UN packaging code

Packaging approved for dangerous goods carries a UN code. The first numeral is the kind of packaging (1 drum, 3 jerrican), the letter is the material (A steel, H plastics), and for drums and jerricans the last numeral says whether the head is non-removable (1) or removable (2). So 1A1 is a steel drum with a non-removable head, 1H1 a plastic one, and 3H1 a plastic jerrican with a non-removable head. IBC codes start with two digits: 31HA1 is a composite IBC with a plastic inner receptacle and a steel outer packaging, used for liquids. The full mark continues with the packing groups and test values the packaging is approved for; your packaging supplier can read it with you.

Pack multiples and minimum order quantity

EXAMPLE · synthetic data. A customer asks for 130 kg of a powder you sell in 25 kg bags. 130 is not a multiple of 25, so the quote has to say what you will actually ship:

Never quote “130 kg” at a price per kilogram without saying how it will be packed. If you have a minimum order quantity, say so on the quote rather than in the follow-up email. Decanting into smaller containers can make a distributor a downstream user; see SDS requests at the quote desk.

What if the price unit differs from the request unit?

Convert once, with an approved density, and show both figures on the quote: “1,000 L (about 1,520 kg at 20 °C), priced per kg”. Selling by mass avoids temperature arguments, which is why bulk liquids are often invoiced on weighbridge mass. If you price per pack, say per what: “per 25 L jerrican” and “per litre” are different offers.

How does Vuntus handle units?

• Converts mass to mass (kg, g, tonnes) and volume to volume (L, mL, m³) automatically.
• For litres to kilograms, and for pack units such as IBCs, drums and bags, asks for a product-specific conversion. The owner or a manager answers the question on screen with a reason, such as the SDS section 9 value (“How many kg is 1 L? (density)” for litres to kilograms, “How many kg is 1 IBC? (fixed conversion)” for pack units), and the conversion is written to the audit trail. The conversion can also be supplied in the catalog CSV.
• Does not price a line until that conversion exists. The line shows “The price is in a different unit · unit conversion approval needed”.
• Applies your “MOQ / pack-size policy”: “Warn” lets a person add the line knowingly, “Hard block” keeps it off the quote.

Vuntus does not guess a density and does not read one from the SDS. For the other checks on a request line, see the chemical RFQ checklist; for concentration, see w/w, w/v, v/v. In Vuntus, an approved conversion is supplied in the catalog CSV or defined on the review screen (Reviewing request lines); for what Vuntus is and is not, see What Vuntus is (and isn't). Sources last checked on 10 Oct 2026.