Every metal tells a story of Earth's geology. Explore the density, melting points, and material properties of 16 metals — from the densest platinum to the lightest lithium.
Density Comparison
Not all metals weigh the same. Select a metal to see how its density compares to others and everyday reference materials.
19.3× heavier than Water
By the Numbers
A scientific snapshot of the world's most important metals.
Price Leaderboard
From precious bullion to industrial commodities — the full spectrum of metal values.
Worth more per ounce than most people earn in a month.
Visualize →So affordable that tons are consumed daily by industry worldwide.
Visualize →Material Properties
The physical characteristics that make each metal unique — from mirror-like reflectivity to matte industrial finishes.
Metal Categories
Explore metals by their classification — from precious investment metals to essential industrial commodities.
Fun Facts
Surprising truths about the metals that shape our world.
Platinum is Denser Than Gold
A cubic foot of platinum weighs about 1,339 pounds — roughly 11% heavier than the same volume of gold. It's the densest commonly traded metal.
Lithium Floats on Water
With a density of just 0.53 g/cm³, lithium is the lightest metal and one of only three metals that float on water (along with sodium and potassium).
Molybdenum Won't Melt Easily
Molybdenum has a melting point of 2,623°C — hot enough that it's used in furnace parts and rocket nozzles where other metals would simply melt.
Tin Melts in Your Kitchen
Tin has one of the lowest melting points of any common metal at just 232°C. A standard kitchen oven could theoretically melt it.
Rhodium is Rarer Than Diamonds
With just 0.001 parts per million in Earth's crust, rhodium is one of the rarest elements. Annual global production is only about 30 tonnes.
Aluminum Was Once More Precious Than Gold
Before the Hall-Héroult process was invented in 1886, aluminum was so expensive that Napoleon III served state dinners on aluminum plates to impress guests.
Cobalt Powers the EV Revolution
About 70% of the world's cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's essential for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and smartphones.
Iron Makes Up a Third of Earth
Iron is the most abundant element on Earth by mass, making up about 32% of the entire planet. Most of it is in the core, not the crust.
Uranium is Surprisingly Common
At 2.7 ppm in Earth's crust, uranium is more abundant than tin, silver, or mercury. It's about as common as tin and 40× more common than silver.
Palladium Goes in Your Exhaust
Over 80% of palladium produced goes into catalytic converters. A single converter contains 2-7 grams of palladium, platinum, or rhodium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about metals, their properties, and this guide.
Visualize Metals in 3D
See accurate 3D ingots with real material properties — metalness, roughness, and reflectivity rendered in real-time.