What is the specific gravity of gold?

The specific gravity of gold is approximately 19.3.

Specific gravity compares a substance’s density with the density of water, using the same conditions. Gold’s value of about 19.3 means a volume of gold is roughly 19.3 times as dense as an equal volume of water. In density terms, that is about 19.3 grams per cubic centimetre.

This exceptional density is one reason gold feels surprisingly heavy for its size. It also helps in traditional prospecting: gold particles tend to settle in streambeds while lighter sand and gravel are washed away. Panning works partly because of this difference in density, although shape, water flow and particle size also matter.

Gold’s density creates a famous counterfeiting problem. Tungsten has a very similar density—about 19.25 grams per cubic centimetre—so a tungsten core can sometimes be plated with gold and remain difficult to detect by weight alone. Professional testing may use dimensions, ultrasound, electrical conductivity or X-ray methods.

The nearby figures in the choices refer to other dense metals or common precious metals. Platinum is dense, but its density is about 21.45 grams per cubic centimetre; silver is far lighter, at about 10.5.