Why use specific gravity instead of density

[member 392791]

Hello,

So I was reading up on Specific gravity, and after seeing that the reference substance is usually water, the specific gravity has the same numerical value as the density of a given liquid. Why do scientists and engineers bother to use specific gravity, what insight does it give that the density of any given fluid would not provide?

 

[Borek]

I believe the reason behind using specific gravity is that it is easier to measure (especially when you measuring it for a solid).