Water Density vs Temperature
Reference Data for Pure Water and Brines at Atmospheric Pressure
Key Facts About Water Density
- Density is measured in kg/m3 or g/cm3
- Pure water has maximum density at approximately 4 deg C (999.97 kg/m3)
- Water density decreases with increasing temperature
- Salinity increases water density
- Pressure effects are minimal at atmospheric pressure (1 atm, 101.325 kPa)
Fresh Water Density vs Temperature (0-100 deg C)
- Fresh Water (Kell Formula)
- Reference Data Points
Water Density Comparison: Fresh Water vs Brines
- Fresh Water (0 ppm)
- High Salinity Brine (100,000 ppm)
- Low Salinity Brine (5,000 ppm)
- Production Water (Seawater) (35,000 ppm)
- Saturated NaCl Brine (260,000 ppm)
Temperature Correction Formula (Fresh Water)
Validated formula based on Kell (1975) and IAPWS data for fresh water density (+/-0.02 kg/m3 accuracy):
rho(T) = [999.83952 + 16.945176*T - 7.9870401e-3*T^2 - 46.170461e-6*T^3 + 105.56302e-9*T^4 - 280.54253e-12*T^5] / [1 + 16.879850e-3*T]
Where: T = temperature in deg C (valid range: 0-100 deg C), rho = density in kg/m3
Reference: Kell, G.S. (1975). Density, thermal expansivity, and compressibility of liquid water from 0 deg to 150 deg C. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 20(1), 97-105.
Fresh Water Density Data Table
| Temperature (deg C) | Density (kg/m3) | Density (g/cm3) | % Change from 4 deg C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 999.84 | 0.9998 | -0.013% |
| 4 | 999.97 | 1.0000 | 0.000% |
| 10 | 999.70 | 0.9997 | -0.027% |
| 15 | 999.10 | 0.9991 | -0.087% |
| 20 | 998.21 | 0.9982 | -0.176% |
| 25 | 997.05 | 0.9970 | -0.292% |
| 30 | 995.65 | 0.9956 | -0.432% |
| 40 | 992.22 | 0.9922 | -0.775% |
| 50 | 988.04 | 0.9880 | -1.193% |
| 60 | 983.20 | 0.9832 | -1.677% |
| 70 | 977.76 | 0.9778 | -2.221% |
| 80 | 971.82 | 0.9718 | -2.815% |
| 90 | 965.31 | 0.9653 | -3.466% |
| 100 | 958.35 | 0.9584 | -4.162% |
Brine Density Data (20 deg C - 80 deg C)
| Water Type | Salinity (ppm) | Salinity (wt%) | 20 deg C (kg/m3) | 40 deg C (kg/m3) | 60 deg C (kg/m3) | 80 deg C (kg/m3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Water | 0 | 0 | 998.2 | 992.2 | 983.2 | 971.8 |
| Low Salinity Brine | 5,000 | 0.5 | 1001.5 | 995.5 | 986.8 | 975.5 |
| Production Water (Seawater) | 35,000 | 3.5 | 1024.8 | 1017.9 | 1008.5 | 997.0 |
| High Salinity Brine | 100,000 | 10 | 1070.0 | 1064.0 | 1057.0 | 1049.0 |
| Saturated NaCl Brine | 260,000 | 26 | 1197.0 | 1189.0 | 1180.0 | 1170.0 |
References
- Kell, G.S. (1975). Density, thermal expansivity, and compressibility of liquid water from 0 deg to 150 deg C. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 20(1), 97-105. DOI: 10.1021/je60064a005
- IAPWS Formulation 1995 for the Thermodynamic Properties of Ordinary Water Substance
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics - Density of Water
- Engineering Toolbox - Water Density and Specific Weight
- ASTM D1429 - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Water and Brine
