Tank Strapping Table Generator
Generate a strapping (calibration) table that converts level to volume for a horizontal or vertical cylindrical tank, at the level step you choose. Print it or copy it into a DCS or PLC lookup table.
- V(h) = L × [R² acos((R − h)/R) − (R − h)√(2Rh − h²)]
- Evaluated every 100 mm from 0 to 2,500 mm
Strapping table (m³)
| Level | Level % | Volume m³ | Volume % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 mm | 0 % | 0 | 0 % |
| 100 mm | 4 % | 0.39517 | 1.342 % |
| 200 mm | 8 % | 1.1038 | 3.748 % |
| 300 mm | 12 % | 2.002 | 6.797 % |
| 400 mm | 16 % | 3.0417 | 10.33 % |
| 500 mm | 20 % | 4.1934 | 14.24 % |
| 600 mm | 24 % | 5.4354 | 18.45 % |
| 700 mm | 28 % | 6.7507 | 22.92 % |
| 800 mm | 32 % | 8.125 | 27.59 % |
| 900 mm | 36 % | 9.5456 | 32.41 % |
| 1,000 mm | 40 % | 11.001 | 37.35 % |
| 1,100 mm | 44 % | 12.482 | 42.38 % |
| 1,200 mm | 48 % | 13.976 | 47.45 % |
| 1,300 mm | 52 % | 15.476 | 52.55 % |
| 1,400 mm | 56 % | 16.971 | 57.62 % |
| 1,500 mm | 60 % | 18.451 | 62.65 % |
| 1,600 mm | 64 % | 19.907 | 67.59 % |
| 1,700 mm | 68 % | 21.327 | 72.41 % |
| 1,800 mm | 72 % | 22.702 | 77.08 % |
| 1,900 mm | 76 % | 24.017 | 81.55 % |
| 2,000 mm | 80 % | 25.259 | 85.76 % |
| 2,100 mm | 84 % | 26.411 | 89.67 % |
| 2,200 mm | 88 % | 27.45 | 93.2 % |
| 2,300 mm | 92 % | 28.349 | 96.25 % |
| 2,400 mm | 96 % | 29.057 | 98.66 % |
| 2,500 mm | 100 % | 29.452 | 100 % |
Strapping Table Formulas
Vertical cylinder: V(h) = π × R² × h
h is the liquid level from the bottom of the tank, R the inside radius and L the shell length (flat ends) or the height for a vertical tank. For dished ends, use the horizontal tank with dished ends calculator; for custody transfer, use a certified strapping by manual or optical methods.
Worked example
A horizontal 2.5 m × 6 m tank holds 29.45 m³ when full. At 50 % level it holds exactly half (14.73 m³), but at 25 % level only about 19.6 % of the volume, so level and volume are not linear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tank strapping table?
A table that converts liquid level to volume for a specific tank, used for inventory, transfer and DCS calculations.
Why is a horizontal tank not linear?
Its width changes with height: the tank is widest at the middle and narrow at the top and bottom.
Is this accurate enough for custody transfer?
No. Custody transfer tanks need certified strapping that measures the real shell, including deformation and internal fittings.
Learn more on the blog
Basics of level measurement
A practical, field focused guide on instrumentationblog.in that explains the theory behind this calculator and how engineers apply it on real plants.
Read Full Article