By Authority Of

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Legally Binding Document

By the Authority Vested By Part 5 of the United States Code 552(a) and
Part 1 of the Code of Regulations 51 the attached document has been duly
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE and shall be considered legally
binding upon all citizens and residents of the United States of America.
HEED THIS NOTICE: Criminal penalties may apply for noncompliance.

e
Document Name: ASTM D287: Standard Test Method for API Gravity of
CFR Section(s):

Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer

Method)
40 CFR 94.108(a)(1) Table B-5

Standards Body: American Society for Testing and Materials

Official Incorporator:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER

WASHINGTON, D.C.

~~l~

Designation: 0 287 - 92 (Reapproved 1995)

An American National Standard

Standard Test Method for

API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products

(Hydrometer Method) 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation 0287; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year ofIast revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year ofIast reapprova!. A
superscript epsilon (,) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapprova!.

This test method has been adoptedjor use by government agencies to replace Method 401 ofFederal Test Method Standard No. 791 b.

1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination by means
of a glass hydrometer of the API gravity of crude petroleum
and petroleum products normally handled as liquids and
having a Reid vapor pressure (Test Method D 323) of 26 psi
(180 kPa) or less. Gravities are determined at 60 P (15.56C),
or converted to values at 60 oP, by means of standard tables.
These tables are not applicable to nonhydrocarbons or
essentially pure hydrocarbons such as the aromatics.

3.1.1 API gravity-a special function of relative density

(specific gravity) 60/60 oP (15.56/15.56C), represented by:
API gravity, deg = (l41.5/sp gr 60/60F) - 131.5

No statement of reference temperature is required, since

60 P is included in the definition.
0

4. Summary of Test Method

4.1 This test method is based on the principle that the
gravity of a liquid varies directly with the depth of immersion of a body floating in it. The floating body, which is
graduated by API gravity units in this method, is called an
API hydrometer.
4.2 The API gravity is read by observing the freely floating
API hydrometer and noting the graduation nearest to the
apparent intersection of the horizontal plane surface of the
liquid with the vertical scale of the hydrometer, after
temperature equilibrium has been reached. The temperature
of the sample is read from a separate accurate ASTM
thermometer in the sample or from the thermometer which
is an integral part of the hydrometer (thermohydrometer).

NOTE I-The international version of this test method is described in

Test Method D 1298.

1.2 Values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded

as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
for information purposes only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Por specific
hazard statements, see Notes 3 and 4.

5. Significance and Use

5.1 Accurate determination of the gravity of petroleum
and its products is necessary for the conversion of measured
volumes to volumes at the standard temperature of 60 P
(15.56C).
5.2 Gravity is a factor governing the quality of crude oils.
However, the gravity of a petroleum product is an uncertain
indication of its quality. Correlated with other properties,
gravity can be used to give approximate hydrocarbon composition and heat of combustion.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:

D 323 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum
Products (Reid Method?
D 1250 Guide for Petroleum Measurement Tables2
D 1298 Practice for Density, Relative Density (Specific
Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and
Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method2
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers3
E 100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers 3
2.2 IP Standards: 4
Specifications for IP Standard Thermometers
IP Specifications for Petroleum Hydrometers

6. Apparatus
6.1 Hydrometers, of glass, graduated in degrees API as
listed in Table 1 and conforming to Specification E 100, or
the IP Specifications for Petroleum Hydrometers.
6.2 Thermometers, having a range from -5 to +215P
and conforming to the requirements for Thermometer 12F
as prescribed in Specification E 1 or Thermometer 64P of the
Specifications for IP Standard Thermometers. A thermometer is not required if a thermohydrometer is employed.

3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee 0-2 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.04 on Hydrocarbon Analysis.
Current edition adopted Aug. 15, 1992. Published October 1992. Originally
published as 0287 - 28 T, replacing former 047. Last previous edition
0287 - 82 (1987)'1.
.
2 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3 Annual Book ofASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
4 Available from the Institute of Petroleum, 61 New Cavendish St., London
WIM, 8AR, England.

NOTE 2-The ASTM Gravity Thermometer 12F has OSF subdivisions and allowable O.25F scale error. The thermometers incorporated
in thermohydrometers have 2F subdivisions and allowable 1OF scale
error.

6.3 Hydrometer Cylinders, of metal, clear glass, or plastic.

Por convenience in pouring, the cylinder fuay have a lip on
155

. '~','

. Ii ,.
i.

TABLE 1

Available Hydrometers Scaled, Degrees API

Designation

Type

1H to 1o.H
21H to 4o.H
51Ht06o.H
71H to 74H

Series Total

long plain
short plain
thermo
thermo
thermo

Scale

API Range, deg

Each Unit

Division

",,""Q ..~ ..

1~,

-1 ,to 10.1,
0. to 10.1 .
-1 to 10.1
-1 to 41
15 to 51

'6" .
12
12
8

Error
' 0.,1 '0..2
0..1
0..1

, '0.:1
0..1
0..1

"I'~ .

tions to prevent the temperature of the sample from

changing appreciably during the time necessary to complete
the test., During!,this~periQd;. .the tempet:atu:re of the surrounding D:.tedi{icisllouldhnot cbangemor~than 5F (2C).
:~'.<"'~J
...
,,(~::, .
',~:~.':j 1;-'- >
,.
NOTE

fire.

NOTE

3-Warning-Extremely'flammable. Vapors may cause flash

" . . i,h' , "";i' ',,' i
:..
.;
4-Warning-Do not start the siphon by mouth.

:;:;8,4Low~r: the,; hyd~6~eter, gently into 'the sample and,

'wnen it has settled;depressit abotit~two seale: divisions into
the rim. The insjdediameter qfthe cYli.,nder shall be~t least " tl1eJiql,l~d a~d t4.ep,rele~sei~; keep tile re~t of,the stem dry, as
25 mm greater than the outside' diameter of the hydrometer' unnecessary liquid on the stem changes the effective weig4t
used in it. The height of the Gylinder shall be sllch that the
of the instrument, and so affects the reading obtail~((q.. ,.,With
length onhe c()lu~~ of s~n:J.ple it co~t~ris is greater iby at
samples. of low viscosity", a .slig4t spin impart~d, t9',the
least 25 "mm' than the portion of the'hydrom~teF whiCh IS
'inStnim~nt on.rei&aslnS'ass.1sfS in Bringing it rest,ifldating
immersed ,beneath 'the surface' of t.he, sample. For field
Ji~eh/away' from the wajjs,dfthe hymometer cyliridet. AUo\V
testing, a, saml?ling, thief of sui~ab~e dimensiqns ,rw::y. bi~;.usxd.
saffl61,ent tinie, fori,the hydrometer, tobecomeicdiiipIetdy
i
stiltioDliry and [ddiU air bubbles t6':C6'me to' the sutfac:e."'thls
7. Temperature of Test
'IS' partiCutady' ilecess'ary In' ihy,case'o( the 'nlOreVlSCous
s~mples>':
i,. ;,'1' " i ' ,"',
" t : ;;,;"'T":
',':'" 'ili '
7.1 The gravity determined by ,the. hydromet~r1l).e~hod is
most,accllrateat or near the standa:rd teJ,llper~ture of 60F
, , 8;5 .when tlieitydrotheter'hti~ cbine to rest; floatihgfreely,
(15,.)6~C); lJs~this;p~ an,Yq1l).~r tempe~at~~?e~ween~,a~~
and the 'tempetatJfe"M 'ihe 'sample IS "cbrlst&nf: t6 i 'O:2F
195g (-:-18,f\nd +Qooq for, the test,. s'o, Kar, aSlt 1S COps1s,tent
(0, PC); J read. the' hydro:meter to the nearest scale division.
with, thel ~ype ,Of sample and :nebessary, limiting qonditions
The correct reading is that point on the hydrometer scale at
shown In Table 2.
.' ,
,
" '
'
.,.
, 1'(
'w~yh.,*e surra9~ o~~lW li<;mi4 <::1;1ts; the ~c;~e; petYfl11in~ t~is
P01l).t1;>y,placlllg the eye slightly below tbe level of the 11Qm,d
8:,~~bced;lIr~: ....J.,:",,; .
,"
and slowly raising it until the sl,lrfac;<,:<,first seen.asa, q1storted
" 8.l For; r~fereetesting,us<:l ,the.lol}g plaipfo1lI1 of l).ydrOI;n- ,ellipse';fl:ppears.to become ~ sirai,g4~ line cutting ibehydrometer (lH,:~o, lOH) .. For fie;ld testing, u,se, tl;1e.,ther:mo- ,eter,scale." \', ,'" ... , " . " I " ' , i i i ' ; "
,,8:6 ~q;;inak~. a".reaQing ,"(itli ','riori.t~~lI1~parent,\.~Ci~i~s,
hydrometelr.,.
'i> .j
, " <,
:,,' , . ' j
~',.' 82, Adj;ust th,e temperature of th~,;sample in a~cordanye
obsel1'e ,tb,e:t:l0l~~h9n the .hydr01,l1~ter.,scal~ to,~~ch,tR--e
~ith T~able ,2. For ;field testing, t~sq~l)1l?eratures,;otp.~rthap
sanrple ri~~s aQgvY:fismru.n.~\1rfaqe,~playi,ngtheeYIif. sligl:itly
above the' plane surface <;l~thy' liq\iid;. Jb,is.,ra,ding 'l:~qpiie~, a
tho.se l,isted; ill ,Table 2 ,may l;>e us,~d;. Tl).e, hydronH~ter cylin,der
correction. Determine this correCtion for" the" 'part'iCUlar
shall be approximately the same temperature as the sample
hydrometer in use by observing tPYc,~,~ight abo:v;e)\lewain
to be tested.
"'
..
surface of the liquid to which tne'sample rises 'on- the
, ,8;9 Transfer the s~mple,ilJtot):l~ clean hYdrQmetercylhydrometer scale when the hydronietet in.'question is,'imiridet ,Without sl?lashing" so ,as. t9,~Y9id the ,fOhp.atiCn~ :of air
mersedin ia transpa'lfent:Iiquid, ,having a"surface 'tension
bubbIes' a6d to reduce to it mInimum tl1e evapor;iition' of tne
similar to that of a sample under',test. ' i ' , , ; l
lower' bcHiiiig"60nstituerits of the in&r~: vol~tlIt1. sarp.pic~.
8.7 00serveithe tempenitureef;the'sariiple.to th:ihtearest
(Warning-see; Note, 3.) FO,r the more volatile' ,samples,
0';Q5?F (0. 1~0) iimmediately, Qefore and'after',the ,observanon
Jran~fe'r, to the~,hydrometei:'cylindei by siphoning, (Warnfofthe',gravitytthe.liquid in the cylinder .being thotou:ghly but
i~g-SeeNote,~) ,Use a rUbber aspirator bulb., Re~ove ,any
cautiouslY stitredwith the ,theimometer, (Note :5), "arid the
~~r bubble~formed,aftei, tiley'pa,v,ecolle6ted, op the r;u*face
of the'sarilple, by touching them with! a' piece' of clean filter whole of the :mercury ,threacFJbeing immerSed: Should these
paper before inserting the' iiydrom~iet:'Fo:r 'fi6fd testing,
temperature readings differ:by 'more, than, 1P(O.,J5C);repeat
the temperature and gravity observations wHen the temperamake the gravity measurement directly in the salUpling thief.
ture of the sam'plelhasbe'come,inor'e'stable, Record thelllean
Place the cylinder comaining the sample 'i~"~ ::V~ftic'al
of the thermdmeteri , ,ieadingi, befdre,iand,iafterthefinal
"posltion'il:'{a 10tati6:ti:free from' air'curreti.~s:\Ta,~e \p~e2allA

Eight-degree range' thermohydroiTieters a~e"available.

,

"

.1

to

'j,

"

,.

j"

t"

~~,

Ii

\~

_.j

I",

'

';

'.

;){'-

t' ':

!
<"j

._"

:'"

...

"

,;.

l. ",

"

I ~ I

.j, :

, ,

\ . {,:, ,.

~.!

,;;,,';

'A(~'~';;l

,,'"

'. , " I '

-\0

fE L-:=)t?d

":

(.~:

'-.

(~ i

'TA,B,~.E, ~,', ~irnitirig :C~.n&itions and Testing Temperatures

"

, i: Gravity

Sample Type
".

ini!iai Boiling Point

.'
Limits

,lighter tlian, 70. ApI.

Highly volatile

p " ,~

Limits .

1!',<'

" heavier: than 70. API

Moderateiy volatile and 'viscous

": 1$

. : Nonvolatile
Mixtures of nonpetroleum products pr.essehtially pure hy~! '
droqarbons
"I

hbavier iiiill;
, 70" API
heavier' than.70 API

belbw25o.oF (12o.oq
, , below25b~F (12o. oC);
, . above 25o.?F (12o.oq

"

':

Cool to 35F (2C) or lower in original'closed

'J (:~)
',' j
9.ontfiiner.
j
~"';'1::
G991 tp,~5F (11;l~9) or low~r i)l origir;1?)Jclq~ed
.'. :'",'! .. ,cont;'liner,
! , , ' 'C
, ViSC0i:!ity ,tog high ,
; Heat to rninim~m tElrnperaWr\l, ,for, !?lJffi~i!3lJt
,i1t 6!?F (18~C) , . "";"
. " .,:fluidity.", '" ,'L! '/.',!'er,
Any temperature between o.iI~d '195~F (7~8,
.(1, ' ,,!;,~nq,,~.Q~G)~scon,veniEl(1t. "
I !
,,' 60, ;!:,.Q:,?5~F (1S.5,6, :1;,,0,1 ~.c),,,, ,
'I

,: Moderafely.volatile " .,

Test TEimpeniture'

Other Limits

~t D 287
hydrometer reading, to the nearest 1F, as the temperature of
the test.
NOTE 5-When thennohydrometers are used, stir the sample by
carefully raising and lowering the hydrometer. It is satisfactory in this
case to read the thennometer scale after the hydrometer reading has
been observed. Read the thennometer to the nearest 1F (OSC).

9. Calculation
9.1 When gravities have been observed on opaque liquids
using the procedure given in 8.6, subtract the correction
from the hydrometer reading observed.
9.2 Correct all hydrometer readings to 60F (I5.56C),
using Tables 5A or 5B of Guide D 1250.
10. Report
1O.l Report the corrected hydrometer reading as degrees
API CAPI) or as API Gravity.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 The precision of this test method as obtained by

statistical examination of interlaboratory test results is as

follows:
11.1.1 Repeatability-The difference between successive
test results obtained by the same operator with the same
apparatus under constant operating conditions on identical
test material, would in the long run, in the normal and
correct operation of the test method, exceed 0.2 API only in
one case in twenty.
11.1.2 Reproducibility-The difference between two
single and independent results, obtained by different operators, working in different laboratories on identical test
material, would in the long run, in the normal and correct
operation of the test method, exceed OS API only in one
case in twenty.
NOTE 6-The precision for this method was not obtained in accordance with RR:D02-1 007. 3
NOTE 7-This precision statement applies only to measurements
made at temperatures differing from 60F (15.56C) by less than 18F
(10C).

11.2 Bias-Bias for this method has not been determined.

12. Keywords
12.1 API gravity; crude petroleum;
thermohydrometer; thermometer

The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards

and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your
views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.

157

hydrometer;