1. What is a Tank Volume Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the volume of liquid a tank can hold in gallons, based on its dimensions.

Purpose: It helps determine the capacity of rectangular or cylindrical tanks for various applications like water storage, aquariums, or industrial uses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses different formulas based on tank shape:

Where:

• \( V_{gal} \) — Volume in gallons
• \( L, W, H \) — Length, width, height in inches (rectangular tank)
• \( r, h \) — Radius and height in inches (cylindrical tank)
• 231 — Cubic inches per gallon conversion factor

Explanation: The calculator first computes the volume in cubic inches, then converts to gallons by dividing by 231.

3. Importance of Tank Volume Calculation

Details: Accurate volume calculation ensures proper sizing for storage needs, helps with dosing treatments (like for pools or aquariums), and prevents overfilling.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

1. Select tank shape (rectangular or cylindrical)
2. Enter dimensions in inches
3. All values must be > 0
4. For cylindrical tanks, measure radius (half of diameter)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide by 231?
A: 231 cubic inches equals 1 US liquid gallon, which is the standard conversion factor.

Q2: Can I use feet instead of inches?
A: Yes, but multiply dimensions by 12 first (since 1 foot = 12 inches) or modify the formula.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise for perfect geometric shapes, but actual tank capacity may vary due to internal structures or shape irregularities.

Q4: Does this work for oval or irregular tanks?
A: No, this calculator is for standard rectangular or cylindrical tanks only.

Q5: What about metric units?
A: For metric (liters), use cm dimensions and divide by 1000 (1 liter = 1000 cm³).