---
title: "Does flexible PVC float in water? No"
description: "Flexible PVC sinks — its density is 1,250 kg/m³ against water's 1,000. Why density and not weight decides it."
url: https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/pvc-flexible/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Does flexible PVC float?

**Does flexible PVC float?: No**

1,250 kg/m³ against water's 1,000

Flexible PVC sinks. At 1,250 kg/m³ it is 1.25 times denser than water.

## Why

Floating is decided by density alone — mass divided by volume — compared against the fluid. Weight has nothing to do with it directly: a 200-tonne ship floats and a 2-gram pebble sinks, because the ship encloses enough air to bring its average density below that of water. That is also the only reason a steel hull works.

## The numbers

- **Density:** 1,250 kg/m³ (1,150–1,400)
- **Relative to fresh water:** 1.250×
- **Floats in fresh water:** No
- **Floats in seawater:** No

## Compared with other materials

| Material | Density | Floats |
| --- | --- | --- |
| teak | 655 kg/m³ | Yes |
| ash | 675 kg/m³ | Yes |
| birch | 690 kg/m³ | Yes |
| bamboo | 700 kg/m³ | Yes |
| gypsum board (drywall) | 700 kg/m³ | Yes |
| red oak | 700 kg/m³ | Yes |
| hard maple | 705 kg/m³ | Yes |
| beech | 720 kg/m³ | Yes |
| MDF | 750 kg/m³ | Yes |
| white oak | 755 kg/m³ | Yes |

## Common questions

### Does flexible PVC float in water?

No — at 1,250 kg/m³ it is denser than water's 1,000.

### Does weight decide whether something floats?

No, density does. A 200-tonne ship floats and a small pebble sinks, because the ship encloses enough air to bring its average density below water.

## Related pages

- [Flexible PVC properties](https://atoneplace.net/material/pvc-flexible/)
- [Does air float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/air/)
- [Does expanded polystyrene foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eps-foam/)
- [Does rigid polyurethane foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/polyurethane-foam/)
- [Does EVA foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eva-foam/)
- [Does balsa float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/balsa/)
- [Does corrugated cardboard float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cardboard/)
- [Does cork float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cork/)
- [Does western red cedar float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cedar/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)