Vegetable Oil Density
Vegetable Oil Density — reference table
| Oil | Density kg/L (indicative) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Most common vegetable oils | ~0.91-0.92 | Soybean, sunflower, canola, corn, peanut, palm olein |
| Olive oil | ~0.91-0.92 | Similar to other liquid oils |
| Coconut oil | ~0.92 | Semi-solid when cool; density at warm/liquid state |
| Palm oil | ~0.90-0.92 | Measured warm/liquid |
| Sesame oil | ~0.92 | Slightly toward the higher end |
| Castor oil | ~0.95-0.96 | Notably denser than food oils (industrial) |
| Water (for reference) | ~1.00 | Oils are lighter than water — they float |
How to read this table
The practical takeaway is simple: most edible oils weigh about 0.91–0.92 kg per litre, so a litre of oil is a little lighter than a litre of water. That single figure covers soybean, sunflower, canola, corn, peanut, palm olein and olive oils closely enough for planning. The main exception in this table is castor oil (~0.95–0.96), an industrial oil that is denser because of its unusual fatty-acid chemistry. Because oils are lighter than water, they float — the basis of gravity separation and of why a water layer sits below oil in a tank.
Temperature matters
Density is not fixed — it decreases as the oil gets warmer, because the oil expands. A tank of oil warmed for pumping or processing therefore holds slightly fewer kilograms per litre than the same tank cold. For most rough conversions the room-temperature figure is close enough, but for custody transfer, invoicing or precise dosing, density must be taken at the actual temperature of the oil. This is why a specification that quotes density should also state the temperature it applies at — a density without a temperature is only approximate.
Converting weight and volume
Density is what lets you move between an oil’s weight and volume. To get weight, multiply litres by density (e.g. 1,000 L × ~0.915 ≈ 915 kg); to get volume, divide weight by density (1,000 kg ÷ ~0.915 ≈ 1,093 L). Our oil unit converter does this for you using a density in this range. For exact figures — shipping documents, trade — use your oil’s measured density at temperature rather than a generic value, since the small differences add up over large volumes.
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FAQ
What is the density of vegetable oil?
Most edible vegetable oils are about 0.91–0.92 kg per litre at room temperature — lighter than water. Castor oil (industrial) is denser at around 0.95–0.96. Density falls as oil warms.
How many kg is 1 litre of vegetable oil?
Roughly 0.91–0.92 kg, since most edible oils have a density around 0.91–0.92 kg/L. So a litre of oil weighs a little less than a kilogram, not exactly one.
Is 1 litre of oil equal to 1 kg?
No — oil is lighter than water, so 1 litre weighs about 0.91–0.92 kg, not 1 kg. Use the oil’s density to convert accurately.
Does temperature affect oil density?
Yes — density decreases as oil warms and expands, so a warm oil holds fewer kilograms per litre than the same oil cold. For exact conversions, measure density at the actual temperature.