What Is the Density of Diesel Fuel?

Diesel fuel has a varying density depending on the type of diesel; for instance, diesel 1D fuel has a density of 54.6 pounds per cubic foot. Other types of diesel fuels, like diesel 2D and diesel 4D, have different densities, though. Diesel 2D has a density of 53 pounds per cubic foot and diesel 4D has a density of 59.9 pounds per cubic foot.

It must be noted that density calculations can vary greatly based upon whether the unit of measurement is a U.S. gallon or not, or based on pounds or the metric system’s unit of measurement of kilograms or grams. Gasoline will typically have a smaller density than diesel, too, because gasoline is ethanol-free petrol fuel.

There also certain densities for other kinds of fuel, like various types of gasoline and coal. Standard gasoline, for example, has a density of 44.9 pounds per cubic foot while gas oil has a density of 52 pounds per cubic foot. Kerosene has the same density as gasoline at 44.9 pounds per cubic foot.

Fuel oil number one and two have their own respective densities of 54.6 pounds per cubic foot and 57.4 pounds per cubic foot, as well. Heavy fuel oil, however, has a slightly larger density at 58 pounds per cubic foot.

Various coals have their own densities. Bituminous coal has a density of 43 to 50 pounds per cubic foot, so it can vary. Hardwood charcoal has a density of 9.3 pounds per cubic foot while softwood charcoal has a density of 13.5 pounds per cubic foot.