`M = "mD" * pi* "r" ^2 *( l - 2/3* "r" )`

Enter a value for all fields

The Weight (Mass) of a Capsule calculator computes mass or weight of a capsule, also known as a spherocylinder.         Capsule - Spherocylinder  

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units (e.g. meters or feet) and enter the following:

• (r) Radius (half the diameter) of the spherical ends of the capsule.
• (l) Length of Capsule.  Note, the length must be equal to or greater than two times the radius (2xr).
• (mD) Mean density of the substance contained in the capsule.  [mD Lookup]

Capsule Mass (M): The calculator computes the mass in kilograms.  However this can be automatically converted in the many other mass or weight units (e.g. pounds, metric tons) via the pull-down menu.

Related Calculators

• For the Surface area of a Capsule, CLICK HERE. 
• For the Volume of a Capsule, CLICK HERE. 

Note: the formula assumes hemispheres (half spheres) on either side of the capsule cylinder.

The Math

Geometrically, a capsule is a cylinder of any length (l) with two hemispheres on either end where the radius (r)  of the cylinder is equal to the radius of the hemispheres.  See diagram. This formula computes the volume of the geometric shape based on the input parameters.  With the computed volume, this formula then executes the simple equation below to compute the approximate mass of the object.

      mass = density * volume

Uses of a Spherocylinder (Capsule)

Spherocylinders are found in many applications. The most common are in capsule containers such small pills and large containers such as liquid or gas transport containers.

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Mean Density Table

Common Mean Densities in Kilograms per Meter Cubed (kg/m3)
Fluids Pure Water - 1,000   Seawater - 1,022   Milk - 1,037  Olive Oil - 860 Cement Slurry - 1,442  Fuels Diesel Fuel - 885  Crude Oil - 870 to 920   Fuel Oil -  890   Ethanol - 789   Gasoline (petrol) - 737  Propane - 493  Liquid Natural Gas - 430 to 470  Market-Ready Grains Corn - 721 (56 lb/bu) Wheat - 772 (60 lb/bu) Barley - 618 (48 lb/bu) Oats - 412 (32 lb/bu) Rye - 721 (56 lb/bu) Soybean - 772 (60 lb/bu)	Metals Density of Aluminum - 2,700 Density of Brass - 8,530  Density of Bronze - 8,150  Density of Chromium - 7,190  Density of Cobalt - 8,746  Density of Copper - 8,940   Density of Gallium - 5907  Density of Gold - 19,300 Density of Iron - 7,847 Density of Lead - 11,340 Density of Nickle - 8,908  Density of Palladium -  12,023 Density of Platinum - 21,450  Density of Steel - 7,850  Density of Silver - 10,490  Density of Tin - 7,280 Density of Titanium - 4,500  Density of Tungsten - 19,600  Density of Uranium - 19,050 Density of Zinc - 7,135  Density of Zirconium - 6,570	Earthen Concrete - 2,371 Dirt - 1,250 Fire Clay - 1,362 Glass - 2,500 Granite - 2,691 Sand (dry) - 1,602 Sand (wet) - 2,082 Sandstone - 2,323 Synthetic Bakelite - 1,362 Carbon Fiber - 2,000 Organic Balsa - 170 Cork - 240 Mahogany - 545 Oak - 760 Pine - 539 Rubber - 1,522
Mean Density Lookup Function

Mean density is scientifically volume divided by mass.  There are  various unit for density adopted by cultures and industries. Common units for density included the following:

• kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)
• grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)
• grams per liter (g/L)
• pounds per cubic feet (lb/ft³)
• ounces per cubic inch (oz/in³)
• pounds per barrel (lb/bbl)
• pounds per bushel (lb/bu)

If you want to identify a material by its density, use the Density Within Range tool.