---
title: "Does it float? Density against water for 110 materials"
description: "Whether a material floats is decided by density alone, not weight. Density against water for 110 materials, and why a steel ship floats while a pebble sinks."
url: https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Does it float?

**The rule: Less dense than 1,000 kg/m³ floats**

Floating is decided by density — mass divided by volume — against the fluid, and by nothing else. Weight is irrelevant on its own: a 200-tonne ship floats and a 2-gram pebble sinks, because the ship encloses enough air to bring its average density under that of water.

## Floats — 33 materials

| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Proportion submerged |
| --- | --- | --- |
| air | 1.2 | 0% |
| expanded polystyrene foam | 20 | 2% |
| rigid polyurethane foam | 40 | 4% |
| EVA foam | 100 | 10% |
| balsa | 160 | 16% |
| corrugated cardboard | 160 | 16% |
| cork | 200 | 20% |
| western red cedar | 370 | 37% |
| spruce | 430 | 43% |
| pine | 500 | 50% |
| Douglas fir | 530 | 53% |
| mahogany | 590 | 59% |
| plywood | 600 | 60% |
| black walnut | 610 | 61% |
| OSB | 640 | 64% |
| particleboard | 650 | 65% |
| teak | 655 | 66% |
| ash | 675 | 68% |
| birch | 690 | 69% |
| red oak | 700 | 70% |
| bamboo | 700 | 70% |
| gypsum board (drywall) | 700 | 70% |
| hard maple | 705 | 71% |
| beech | 720 | 72% |
| MDF | 750 | 75% |
| white oak | 755 | 76% |
| paper | 800 | 80% |
| leather | 900 | 90% |
| polypropylene | 905 | 91% |
| ice | 917 | 92% |
| LDPE | 920 | 92% |
| natural rubber | 950 | 95% |
| HDPE | 955 | 96% |

## Sinks — 77 materials

| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Times denser than water |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ebony | 1,000 | 1.0× |
| water | 1,000 | 1.0× |
| ABS | 1,050 | 1.1× |
| polystyrene | 1,050 | 1.1× |
| plaster | 1,100 | 1.1× |
| nylon 6 | 1,140 | 1.1× |
| nylon 66 | 1,140 | 1.1× |
| epoxy resin | 1,150 | 1.1× |
| acrylic (PMMA) | 1,180 | 1.2× |
| polycarbonate | 1,200 | 1.2× |
| lignum vitae | 1,230 | 1.2× |
| PLA | 1,240 | 1.2× |
| flexible PVC | 1,250 | 1.3× |
| silicone rubber | 1,250 | 1.3× |
| PETG | 1,270 | 1.3× |
| neoprene | 1,300 | 1.3× |
| rigid PVC | 1,400 | 1.4× |
| POM (acetal / Delrin) | 1,410 | 1.4× |
| aramid fibre (Kevlar) | 1,440 | 1.4× |
| woven carbon fibre composite | 1,550 | 1.6× |
| unidirectional carbon fibre composite | 1,600 | 1.6× |
| magnesium | 1,738 | 1.7× |
| brick | 1,900 | 1.9× |
| fired clay (terracotta) | 1,900 | 1.9× |
| fibreglass (GRP) | 1,900 | 1.9× |
| PTFE | 2,170 | 2.2× |
| graphite | 2,200 | 2.2× |
| fused quartz | 2,200 | 2.2× |
| borosilicate glass | 2,230 | 2.2× |
| sandstone | 2,300 | 2.3× |
| asphalt (hot-mix) | 2,350 | 2.4× |
| concrete | 2,400 | 2.4× |
| porcelain | 2,400 | 2.4× |
| limestone | 2,450 | 2.5× |
| reinforced concrete | 2,500 | 2.5× |
| soda-lime glass | 2,500 | 2.5× |
| tempered glass | 2,500 | 2.5× |
| quartz | 2,650 | 2.6× |
| aluminum | 2,700 | 2.7× |
| aluminum 6061 | 2,700 | 2.7× |
| granite | 2,700 | 2.7× |
| marble | 2,700 | 2.7× |
| slate | 2,750 | 2.8× |
| aluminum 7075 | 2,810 | 2.8× |
| silicon carbide | 3,210 | 3.2× |
| diamond | 3,515 | 3.5× |
| alumina | 3,900 | 3.9× |
| Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy | 4,430 | 4.4× |
| titanium | 4,506 | 4.5× |
| ductile iron | 7,100 | 7.1× |
| zinc | 7,140 | 7.1× |
| gray cast iron | 7,150 | 7.2× |
| chromium | 7,190 | 7.2× |
| pewter | 7,300 | 7.3× |
| tin | 7,310 | 7.3× |
| lead-free solder (SAC305) | 7,380 | 7.4× |
| wrought iron | 7,700 | 7.7× |
| tool steel | 7,800 | 7.8× |
| mild steel | 7,850 | 7.8× |
| high-carbon steel | 7,850 | 7.8× |
| iron | 7,874 | 7.9× |
| stainless steel 304 | 8,000 | 8.0× |
| stainless steel 316 | 8,000 | 8.0× |
| Inconel 718 | 8,190 | 8.2× |
| brass | 8,500 | 8.5× |
| tin-lead solder (60/40) | 8,520 | 8.5× |
| bronze | 8,800 | 8.8× |
| Monel 400 | 8,800 | 8.8× |
| nickel | 8,908 | 8.9× |
| copper | 8,960 | 9.0× |
| silver | 10,490 | 10.5× |
| lead | 11,340 | 11.3× |
| mercury | 13,534 | 13.5× |
| tungsten carbide | 14,900 | 14.9× |
| tungsten | 19,250 | 19.3× |
| gold | 19,300 | 19.3× |
| platinum | 21,450 | 21.4× |

## Every material

- [Does air float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/air/) — Yes
- [Does expanded polystyrene foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eps-foam/) — Yes
- [Does rigid polyurethane foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/polyurethane-foam/) — Yes
- [Does EVA foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eva-foam/) — Yes
- [Does balsa float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/balsa/) — Yes
- [Does corrugated cardboard float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cardboard/) — Yes
- [Does cork float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cork/) — Yes
- [Does western red cedar float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cedar/) — Yes
- [Does spruce float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/spruce/) — Yes
- [Does pine float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pine/) — Yes
- [Does Douglas fir float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/douglas-fir/) — Yes
- [Does mahogany float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/mahogany/) — Yes
- [Does plywood float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/plywood/) — Yes
- [Does black walnut float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/walnut/) — Yes
- [Does OSB float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/osb/) — Yes
- [Does particleboard float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/particleboard/) — Yes
- [Does teak float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/teak/) — Yes
- [Does ash float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ash/) — Yes
- [Does birch float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/birch/) — Yes
- [Does bamboo float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/bamboo/) — Yes
- [Does gypsum board (drywall) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/gypsum-board/) — Yes
- [Does red oak float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/red-oak/) — Yes
- [Does hard maple float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/maple/) — Yes
- [Does beech float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/beech/) — Yes
- [Does MDF float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/mdf/) — Yes
- [Does white oak float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/white-oak/) — Yes
- [Does paper float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/paper/) — Yes
- [Does leather float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/leather/) — Yes
- [Does polypropylene float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/polypropylene/) — Yes
- [Does ice float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ice/) — Yes
- [Does LDPE float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ldpe/) — Yes
- [Does natural rubber float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/natural-rubber/) — Yes
- [Does HDPE float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/hdpe/) — Yes
- [Does ebony float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ebony/) — No
- [Does water float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/water/) — No
- [Does ABS float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/abs/) — No
- [Does polystyrene float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/polystyrene/) — No
- [Does plaster float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/plaster/) — No
- [Does nylon 6 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/nylon-6/) — No
- [Does nylon 66 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/nylon-66/) — No
- [Does epoxy resin float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/epoxy-resin/) — No
- [Does acrylic (PMMA) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/acrylic/) — No
- [Does polycarbonate float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/polycarbonate/) — No
- [Does lignum vitae float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/lignum-vitae/) — No
- [Does PLA float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pla/) — No
- [Does flexible PVC float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pvc-flexible/) — No
- [Does silicone rubber float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/silicone-rubber/) — No
- [Does PETG float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/petg/) — No
- [Does neoprene float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/neoprene/) — No
- [Does rigid PVC float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pvc-rigid/) — No
- [Does POM (acetal / Delrin) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pom/) — No
- [Does aramid fibre (Kevlar) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/aramid/) — No
- [Does woven carbon fibre composite float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/carbon-fiber-woven/) — No
- [Does unidirectional carbon fibre composite float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/carbon-fiber-ud/) — No
- [Does magnesium float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/magnesium/) — No
- [Does brick float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/brick/) — No
- [Does fibreglass (GRP) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/fiberglass/) — No
- [Does fired clay (terracotta) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/fired-clay/) — No
- [Does PTFE float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ptfe/) — No
- [Does fused quartz float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/fused-quartz/) — No
- [Does graphite float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/graphite/) — No
- [Does borosilicate glass float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/borosilicate-glass/) — No
- [Does sandstone float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/sandstone/) — No
- [Does asphalt (hot-mix) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/asphalt/) — No
- [Does concrete float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/concrete/) — No
- [Does porcelain float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/porcelain/) — No
- [Does limestone float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/limestone/) — No
- [Does reinforced concrete float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/reinforced-concrete/) — No
- [Does soda-lime glass float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/soda-lime-glass/) — No
- [Does tempered glass float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/tempered-glass/) — No
- [Does quartz float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/quartz/) — No
- [Does aluminum float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/aluminum/) — No
- [Does aluminum 6061 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/aluminum-6061/) — No
- [Does granite float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/granite/) — No
- [Does marble float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/marble/) — No
- [Does slate float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/slate/) — No
- [Does aluminum 7075 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/aluminum-7075/) — No
- [Does silicon carbide float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/silicon-carbide/) — No
- [Does diamond float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/diamond/) — No
- [Does alumina float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/alumina/) — No
- [Does Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ti-6al-4v/) — No
- [Does titanium float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/titanium/) — No
- [Does ductile iron float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ductile-iron/) — No
- [Does zinc float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/zinc/) — No
- [Does gray cast iron float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cast-iron/) — No
- [Does chromium float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/chromium/) — No
- [Does pewter float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pewter/) — No
- [Does tin float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/tin/) — No
- [Does lead-free solder (SAC305) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/solder-lead-free/) — No
- [Does wrought iron float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/wrought-iron/) — No
- [Does tool steel float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/tool-steel/) — No
- [Does high-carbon steel float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/carbon-steel/) — No
- [Does mild steel float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/mild-steel/) — No
- [Does iron float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/iron/) — No
- [Does stainless steel 304 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/stainless-304/) — No
- [Does stainless steel 316 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/stainless-316/) — No
- [Does Inconel 718 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/inconel-718/) — No
- [Does brass float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/brass/) — No
- [Does tin-lead solder (60/40) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/solder-60-40/) — No
- [Does bronze float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/bronze/) — No
- [Does Monel 400 float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/monel-400/) — No
- [Does nickel float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/nickel/) — No
- [Does copper float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/copper/) — No
- [Does silver float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/silver/) — No
- [Does lead float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/lead/) — No
- [Does mercury float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/mercury/) — No
- [Does tungsten carbide float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/tungsten-carbide/) — No
- [Does tungsten float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/tungsten/) — No
- [Does gold float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/gold/) — No
- [Does platinum float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/platinum/) — No

## Common questions

### What decides whether something floats?

Density relative to the fluid. Below 1,000 kg/m³ floats in fresh water; below about 1,025 floats in seawater.

### Why do steel ships float?

Because average density decides it, not material density. A hull enclosing air is less dense overall than water, even though steel is nearly eight times denser.

### Does something float better in seawater?

Yes, slightly. Seawater is about 2.5% denser, which is why the Dead Sea — far saltier again — makes swimmers noticeably more buoyant.