The density of a pigment may be determined by the pycnometer method at a standard temperature of 25 °C using kerosene as immersion liquid. The detailed procedure may be found in ISO 78710 and ASTM D153.
Many pigments are tested disregarding air entrapment on the particle surfaces or in the voids between the particles. The mass (in g) of 1 cm3 of the pigment after tamping in a tamping volumeter under prescribed conditions is referred to as its apparent density.
It depends on the true density, shape and size of the particle. Information on tamped volume determination is in ISO 787-11.