Calculating Volume of a Tank in Gallons

Tank Volume Formulas:

\[ V_{gal} = \frac{L \times W \times H}{231} \text{ (rectangular)} \] \[ V_{gal} = \frac{\pi \times r^2 \times h}{231} \text{ (cylindrical)} \]

Tank Shape:

Length:

inches

Width:

inches

Height:

inches

Tank Volume:

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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 in determining tank capacity for storage, industrial applications, or aquarium setups.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses different formulas based on tank shape:

\[ V_{gal} = \frac{L \times W \times H}{231} \text{ (rectangular)} \] \[ V_{gal} = \frac{\pi \times r^2 \times h}{231} \text{ (cylindrical)} \]

Where:

\( V_{gal} \) — Volume in gallons
\( L, W, H \) — Length, Width, Height in inches (rectangular)
\( r, h \) — Radius and Height in inches (cylindrical)

Explanation: The formulas convert cubic inches to gallons (1 gallon = 231 cubic inches).

3. Importance of Tank Volume Calculation

Details: Accurate volume calculation ensures proper sizing for storage needs, chemical mixing ratios, and system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide by 231?
A: There are 231 cubic inches in one US gallon, which is the conversion factor.

Q2: Can I use this for metric measurements?
A: No, this calculator uses inches for input and US gallons for output. For metric, convert cm to inches first.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical maximum volume. Actual capacity may be less due to tank walls, internal structures, or fill limits.

Q4: What about irregularly shaped tanks?
A: This calculator only handles standard rectangular and cylindrical shapes. Complex shapes require different calculations.

Q5: Does this account for tank orientation?
A: No, the calculation assumes standard orientation (vertical for cylindrical tanks).