Tank Volume Calculator
Work out the volume of a tank from its shape and dimensions, including partial fills.
How much a tank holds
A tank's capacity depends on its shape and dimensions, and the shape makes it more than simple length-times-width — a cylinder, a horizontal cylinder, an oval or a cone each has its own formula. This works out the volume from the shape and dimensions, so you know a tank's full capacity.
Enter the tank's shape and dimensions to see the volume.
The tricky part: a partly-full tank
Full capacity is one thing; the volume at a given fill level is genuinely tricky, especially for a horizontal cylindrical tank, where the relationship between the depth of liquid and the volume is not linear at all. Halfway up the height is exactly half full for such a tank, but a quarter of the way up is much less than a quarter of the volume, because the tank is narrow at the bottom. This is why reading a dipstick on a horizontal fuel or water tank does not translate simply to litres.
Common questions
Why is a horizontal cylinder's volume not proportional to depth?
Because the tank is narrow at the bottom, so a quarter of the height holds much less than a quarter of the volume.
What tank shapes can it handle?
Common ones — vertical and horizontal cylinders, ovals and cones — each with its own volume formula.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The calculation happens in your browser.