How to find the volume of objects

Finding the volume / capacities of various objects is generally quite simple, just follow these formulas.

• Rectangular tanks
• Cylindrical tanks
• Elliptical tanks
• Spheres
• Frustum shaped tanks

---

Finding the volume of a rectangular tank

• V = volume
• L = length
• H = height
• W = width

Formula

V = L x W x H

• To find the volume in Liters:
  •  measure the tank in centimeters and divide the result by 1000. (EX: 13cm x 11cm x 28cm = 4004cm³ 4004cm³ ÷1000 = 4.004 L)
  • Measure the tank in meters and multiply by 1000.
• To find the volume in US gallons:
  • Measure the tank in inches and divide by 231.
  • Measure the tank in feet and multiply by 7.48.

---

Finding the volume of a cylindrical tank

• V = volume
• D = diameter
• L = length

Formula

V = D x D x 0.7854 x L   or  V = ∏R²L

• To find the volume in Liters:
  •  measure the tank in centimeters and divide the result by 1000.
    (EX: 10cm x 10cm x 0.7854 x 30cm = 2356.2cm³) (2356.2cm³ ÷ 1000 = 2.36 L)
  • Measure the tank in meters and multiply by 1000.
• To find the volume in US gallons:
  • Measure the tank in inches and divide by 231.
  • Measure the tank in feet and multiply by 7.48.

---

Finding the volume of an elliptical tank

• V = volume
• L = length
• W = width
• H = height

Formula

V = H x W x 0.7854 x L

• To find the volume in Liters:
  •  measure the tank in centimeters and divide the result by 1000.
    (EX: 20cm x 10cm x 0.7854 x 30cm = 4712.4cm³) (4712.4cm³ ÷ 1000 = 4.71 L)
  • Measure the tank in meters and multiply by 1000.
• To find the volume in US gallons:
  • Measure the tank in inches and divide by 231.
  • Measure the tank in feet and multiply by 7.48.

---

Finding the volume of a spherical tank

• V = volume
• D³ = diameter cubed

Formula

• To find the volume in Liters:
  •  measure the tank in centimeters and divide the result by 1000.
    (EX: 20cm x 20cm x 20cm x 0.5236 = 4188.8cm³) (4188.8cm³ ÷ 1000 = 4.19 L)
  • Measure the tank in meters and multiply by 1000.
• To find the volume in US gallons:
  • Measure the tank in inches and divide by 231.
  • Measure the tank in feet and multiply by 7.48.

---

Finding the volume of a frustum tank

A frustum can be multi-sided or conical, the formula below will work for both.

• V = volume
• H = height between bases
• B1 = area of upper base
• B2 = area of lower base

Formula

 

• To find the volume in Liters:
  •  measure the tank in centimeters and divide the result by 1000.
    
  • Measure the tank in meters and multiply by 1000.
• To find the volume in US gallons:
  • Measure the tank in inches and divide by 231.
  • Measure the tank in feet and multiply by 7.48.