Elliptical Tank
Elliptical Tank Volume Calculator
Calculate liquid volume from the tank width, height, length and the dipstick reading. Works for horizontal and vertical tanks.
Tank dimensions
Width and height are the two axes of the elliptical cross-section. For a horizontal tank the dip is measured up the shorter axis.
Tank diagram
Cross-section view (horizontal tank). Switch orientation to see the vertical view.
Vertical tank standing on the ellipse: dip is measured along the tank length.
Calculated volume
- Tank capacity
- Liquid depth
- Remaining capacity
| Dip | Volume (gal) | Volume (L) | % Full |
|---|
About this calculator
How elliptical tank volume is calculated
A horizontal elliptical tank is a trough whose cross-section is an ellipse. A dip h deep fills a partial segment of that ellipse, stretched along the tank length.
V = L · [ a·b·asin(h/a) + h·√(a² − h²) ]
where a is half the tank height, b is half the tank width, h is the dip measured above the tank bottom and L is the tank length. Cubic inches become US gallons by dividing by 231.
Measurement guide
How to dip a tank
Dip the stick from the fill opening down to the bottom and read the wet line. Measure the two cross-section axes at the widest and highest points, and the length inside end to inside end.
Assumptions
The tank is level, the ends are flat, and the cross-section is a true ellipse. A vertical tank stands on the ellipse, so the dip is measured along its length.