Science Calculators
Buoyancy Calculator
Enter a fluid, displaced volume, and object mass to calculate buoyant force and whether the object floats.
Floats
Buoyant force: 490.5N vs object weight: 392.4N
Uses Archimedes' principle: buoyant force = fluid density × displaced volume × g. If that force exceeds the object's weight, it floats.
How to use this tool
- 1Choose a fluid or enter a custom density.
- 2Enter the displaced volume.
- 3Enter the object's mass.
- 4See the buoyant force and float/sink result.
Frequently asked questions
Why do steel ships float if steel is denser than water?+
A ship's hull displaces a large volume of water relative to its total mass, so its average density (including all the air inside) is lower than water's — that's what this calculator's volume and mass inputs capture.