Vertical Tank Volume Calculator
Operators and inventory engineers use this to convert a measured level into a volume for a vertical cylindrical tank, and to build a quick level-to-volume table. It suits day tanks, chemical totes, and process vessels where the sides are straight and vertical.
A vertical cylinder is the easy case: volume rises linearly with level, so each foot of level is the same number of gallons. This calculator returns the volume at your entered level in gallons, barrels, and percent full, and prints a 10-row table from empty to full for the tank dimensions you enter.
The Calculator
Result
Straight vertical sides only; heads and bottom knuckles are not included.
| Level (ft) | Volume (gal) | Barrels | Percent full |
|---|
The Formula
With radius R = diameter / 2 and liquid height h, the volume is simply the base area times the height:
That is cubic feet; multiply by 7.480519 for US gallons and divide by 42 for barrels. Percent full is h divided by the tank height.
Worked example. A 10 ft diameter tank (R = 5 ft) filled to h = 6 ft: V = π × 5² × 6 = π × 150 = 471.2 ft³ = 3,525 gal = 83.9 bbl. If the tank is 12 ft tall, that is 6 / 12 = 50% full.
Assumptions and Limits
- Only the straight vertical shell is counted. A dished bottom, a cone bottom, or a domed roof changes the volume near the extremes and is not included.
- The relationship is linear, so a level transmitter on a true vertical cylinder should track volume directly, unlike the horizontal case.
- All dimensions must be in the same feet. The level must be between 0 and the tank height.
- Results are engineering estimates. Verify against the tank's calibration table before using for accounting or transfer.
FAQ
Why is the vertical case linear when the horizontal one is not?
A vertical cylinder has a constant cross-section at every level, so equal level steps add equal volume. A horizontal cylinder's cross-section changes with level, which is why its curve bulges in the middle.
Does the table update when I change the tank?
Yes. The 10-row table recomputes from empty to full whenever you change the diameter or height, so you can print a quick strapping estimate for that specific tank.
What about the bottom head or a cone bottom?
Those add or remove volume near the bottom that this straight-shell formula ignores. For a cone-bottom or dished-bottom tank, use the manufacturer's strapping table or add the head volume separately.
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