The table below provides specific gravity ratings for common fluids. As you review the specs for our different float switches, not the specific gravity rating. To achieve bouyancy, the specific gravity of the float must be lower than the specific gravity of the fluid being measured. Water is the benchmark, with a specific gravity of 1.0.
| Liquid | °F | °C | Specific Gravity* |
| Acetaldehyde CH3CHO | 61 | 16.1 | 0.79 |
| Acetic acid 5% - vinegar | 59 | 15 | 1.006 |
| Acetic acid - 10% | 59 | 15 | 1.014 |
| Acetic acid - 50% | 59 | 15 | 1.061 |
| Acetic acid - 80% | 59 | 15 | 1.075 |
| Acetic acid - concentrated | 59 | 15 | 1.055 |
| Acetic acid anhydride | 59 | 15 | 1.087 |
| Acetone CH3COCH3 | 68 | 20 | 0.792 |
| Alcohol - allyl | 68 | 20 | 0.855 |
| Alcohol - butyl-n | 68 | 20 | 0.81 |
| Alcohol - ethyl (grain) C2H5OH | 68 | 20 | 0.789 |
| Alcohol - methyl (wood) CH3OH | 68 | 20 | 0.79 |
| Alcohol - propyl | 68 | 20 | 0.804 |
| Aluminum sulfate 36% solution | 60 | 15.6 | 1.055 |
| Ammonia | 0 | -17.8 | 0.662 |
| Aniline | 68 | 20 | 0.804 |
| Automotive crankcase oils SAE-5W/10W/20W/30W/40W/50W 60 | 60 | 15 | .88 |
| Beer | 60 | 15.6 | 1.01 |
| Benzene (benzol) C6H6 | 77 | 25 | .87 |
| Bone oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.918 |
| Boric acid H3BO3 | 46 | 4 8 | 1.014 |
| Bromine | 32 | 0 | 2.9 |
| Butane-n | 60 | 15.6 | 0.584 |
| Butyric acid | 68 | 20 | 0.959 |
| Calcium chloride 5% | 65 | 18.3 | 1.040 |
| Calcium chloride 25% | 60 | 15.6 | 1.23 |
| Carbolic acid (phenol) | 65 | 18.3 | 1.08 |
| Carbon tetrachloride CCl4 | 68 | 20 | 1.594 |
| Carbon disulfide CS2 | 32 | 0 | 1.293 |
| Castor Oil | 68 | 20 | 0.96 |
| China wood oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.943 |
| Chloroform | 68 | 20 | 1.489 |
| Coconut oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.925 |
| Cod liver oil | 59 | 15 | 0.925 |
| Corn oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.924 |
| Cotton seed oil | 60 | 15.6 | .88 |
| Creosote | 60 | 15.6 | 1.04 |
| Crude oil 48o API | 60 | 15.6 | 0.79 |
| Crude oil 40o API | 60 | 15.6 | 0.825 |
| Crude oil 35.6o API | 60 | 15.6 | 0.847 |
| Crude oil 32.6o API | 60 | 15.6 | 0.832 |
| Crude oil Salt creek | 60 | 15.6 | 0.843 |
| Decane-n | 68 | 20 | 0.73 |
| Diethylene glycol | 60 | 15.6 | 1.12 |
| Diethylene glycol | 60 | 15.6 | 1.12 |
| Diethyl ether | 68 | 20 | 0.714 |
| Diesel Fuel Oil 2D/3D/4D/5D | 60 | 15.6 | 0.81 |
| Dowtherm | 77 | 25 | 1.056 |
| Ethyl acetate CH3COOC2H3 | 59 | 15 | 0.907 |
| Ethyl bromide C2H3Br | 59 | 15 | 1.45 |
| Ethyl bromide C2H3Br | 59 | 15 | 1.45 |
| Ethylene bromide | 68 | 20 | 2.18 |
| Ethylene chloride | 68 | 20 | 1.246 |
| Ethylene glycol | 60 | 15.6 | 1.125 |
| Formic acid - 10% | 68 | 20 | 1.025 |
| Formic acid - 50% | 68 | 20 | 1.121 |
| Formic acid - 80% | 68 | 20 | 1.186 |
| Formic acid - concentrated | 68 | 20 | 1.221 |
| Freon - 11 | 70 | 21.1 | 1.49 |
| Freon - 12 | 70 | 21.1 | 1.33 |
| Freon - 21 | 70 | 21.1 | 1.37 |
| Furfurol | 68 | 20 | 1.159 |
| Fuel oils 1/2/3/5A/5B/6 | 60 | 15.6 | .82 |
| Gas oils | 60 | 15.6 | .89 |
| Gasoline a | 60 | 15.6 | 0.74 |
| Gasoline b | 60 | 15.6 | 0.72 |
| Gasoline c | 60 | 15.6 | 0.68 |
| Glycerin 100% | 68 | 20 | 1.26 |
| Glycerin 50% water | 68 | 20 | 1.13 |
| Glucose | 60 | 15.6 | 1.35 |
| Heptane-n | 60 | 15.6 | 0.688 |
| Hexane-n | 60 | 15.6 | 0.664 |
| Ink printers | 60 | 15.6 | 1.0 |
| Kerosene | 60 | 15.6 | .78 |
| Jet fuel | 60 | 15.6 | 0.82 |
| Lard | 60 | 15.6 | 0.96 |
| Lard oil | 60 | 15.6 | .91 |
| Linseed oil | 60 | 15.6 | .92 |
| Mercury | 60 | 15.6 | 13.6 |
| Methyl acetate | 68 | 20 | 0.93 |
| Methyl iodide | 68 | 20 | 2.28 |
| Milk | 60 | 15.6 | 1.02 |
| Molasses A first | 60 | 15.6 | 1.40 |
| Molasses B second | 60 | 15.6 | 1.43 |
| Molasses C blackstrap | 60 | 15.6 | 1.49 |
| Naphthalene | 68 | 20 | 1.15 |
| Neatsfoot oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.917 |
| Nitrobentzene | 68 | 20 | 1.203 |
| Nonane-n | 60 | 15.6 | 0.722 |
| Octane-n | 60 | 15.6 | 0.707 |
| Olive oil | 60 | 15.6 | .91 |
| Palm oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.924 |
| Peanut oil | 60 | 15.6 | 0.92 |
| Pentane-n | 32 | 0 | 0.650 |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) | 59 | 15 | 1.25 |
| Toluene | 68 | 20 | .87 |
| Water, fresh | 39 | 4 | 1.00 |
| Water, sea | 77 | 26 | 1.02 |
| Xylene | 68 | 20.0 | .88 |
* Guidelines only. Customers are responsible for testing fluids to confirm specific gravity and suitability with sensor materials.
For technical or design questions, please do not hesitate to use our Contact Form, email us at [email protected] or call us on 773-252-9660.