Tank Volume Calculator
Convert a level reading into volume for vertical cylinders, horizontal cylinders with flat ends, and rectangular tanks. The strapping table shows volume against level, which is what you need to linearise a level transmitter on a horizontal tank.
- Segment area = R² × acos((R − h) ÷ R) − (R − h) × √(2Rh − h²)
- Volume = segment area × length = 3.0709 m³
Level to volume strapping table
| Level % | Level | Volume | Volume % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 % | 0 m | 0 m³ | 0.0 % |
| 10 % | 0.2 m | 0.81751 m³ | 5.2 % |
| 20 % | 0.4 m | 2.2365 m³ | 14.2 % |
| 30 % | 0.6 m | 3.9634 m³ | 25.2 % |
| 40 % | 0.8 m | 5.8674 m³ | 37.4 % |
| 50 % | 1 m | 7.854 m³ | 50.0 % |
| 60 % | 1.2 m | 9.8406 m³ | 62.6 % |
| 70 % | 1.4 m | 11.745 m³ | 74.8 % |
| 80 % | 1.6 m | 13.471 m³ | 85.8 % |
| 90 % | 1.8 m | 14.89 m³ | 94.8 % |
| 100 % | 2 m | 15.708 m³ | 100.0 % |
Tank Volume Formulas
Rectangular: V = W × D × h
Horizontal cylinder: V = L × [R² × acos((R − h)/R) − (R − h) × √(2Rh − h²)]
Where R is the radius, h the liquid level, L the length of a horizontal tank and W, D the plan dimensions of a rectangular tank.
Worked example
A horizontal tank 2 m in diameter and 5 m long holds 15.71 m³ when full. At 0.5 m level (25 % of height) it holds only about 3.07 m³, which is 19.6 % of its volume, not 25 %.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the volume of a horizontal tank?
Find the area of the liquid segment in the circular cross section using the formula above and multiply by the tank length. The calculator does this for any level.
Does this include dished ends?
No. The horizontal tank formula assumes flat ends. Dished or hemispherical heads add volume that depends on the head type and depth.
What is a tank strapping table?
It is a table of volume against level, used to linearise a level transmitter or to read tank contents manually. The table on this page updates for your tank.
Learn more on the blog
Types of level transmitters
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