Measure how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water.
Oil Properties
Calculation Results
Enter parameters to calculate
About this calculator
Quick Reference
APIAPI Gravity (°)
SGSpecific Gravity at 60°F
WaterAPI = 10 (SG = 1.0)
Densityρ = SG × 999.01 kg/m³
Overview
American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity is a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water. If its API gravity is greater than 10, it is lighter and floats on water; if less than 10, it is heavier and sinks.
💡
Pro Tips
API gravity is inversely proportional to density.
Measurements are usually standardized at 60°F (15.6°C).
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of the substance to the density of water.
!
Fun Facts
"Light crude oil is more valuable because it produces a higher yield of gasoline and diesel during refining."
"West Texas Intermediate (WTI), a famous benchmark, has an API gravity of about 39.6°."
"Some 'extra heavy' oils from Venezuela and Canada actually sink in water because their API gravity is below 10."
