A Gallons Per Inch Calculator helps you determine how many gallons of liquid are in every inch of your tank's height. This tool is incredibly useful for measuring the volume of partially filled tanks. Instead of complex calculations, you can use this calculator for quick and accurate results. This is particularly helpful for various applications, such as managing water in a well, fuel in a storage tank, or any other liquid. By knowing the gallons per inch, you can easily find out the total volume of liquid by multiplying this value by the liquid's depth in inches. This calculator falls under the category of volume and capacity calculators.
formula
Here are the formulas to calculate the gallons per inch for different types of tanks. These formulas use standard measurements to ensure you get accurate results.
Universal Conversion Formula
This formula converts a volume from cubic inches to U.S. gallons.
Gallons = Cubic Inches / 231
Formulas by Tank Shape
1. Cylindrical Tanks
This is the formula for a vertical cylinder. All measurements like length, width, and diameter should be in inches.
Gallons per Inch = (3.14159 * (Diameter / 2)^2 * 1) / 231
Component Formulas:
Radius = Diameter / 2
Area = 3.14159 * Radius^2
Volume in Cubic Inches = Area * 1
2. Rectangular or Square Tanks
Gallons per Inch = (Length * Width * 1) / 231
Component Formulas:
Area = Length * Width
Volume in Cubic Inches = Area * 1
3. Elliptical or Oval Tanks
Gallons per Inch = (3.14159 * (Length / 2) * (Width / 2) * 1) / 231
Component Formulas:
Area = 3.14159 * (Length / 2) * (Width / 2)
Volume in Cubic Inches = Area * 1
Gallons Per Inch Quick Reference Table for Cylindrical Tanks
This table provides pre-calculated gallons per inch for common vertical cylindrical tank diameters. You can use this for quick reference without performing the calculation each time.
| Diameter (inches) | Gallons per Inch |
| 12 | 0.49 |
| 18 | 1.10 |
| 24 | 1.96 |
| 30 | 3.06 |
| 36 | 4.41 |
| 42 | 6.00 |
| 48 | 7.85 |
| 54 | 9.93 |
| 60 | 12.27 |
| 72 | 17.67 |
| 84 | 24.05 |
| 96 | 31.41 |
Example
Let's calculate the gallons per inch for a rectangular tank to see how the formula works in a real-life scenario.
Imagine you have a rectangular water tank with the following dimensions:
Length = 48 inches
Width = 24 inches
First, you calculate the area of the base of the tank.
Area = Length * Width
Area = 48 inches * 24 inches
Area = 1152 square inches
Next, you determine the volume for one inch of height.
Volume in Cubic Inches = Area * 1
Volume in Cubic Inches = 1152 * 1
Volume in Cubic Inches = 1152 cubic inches
Finally, you convert the volume from cubic inches to gallons.
Gallons per Inch = Volume in Cubic Inches / 231
Gallons per Inch = 1152 / 231
Gallons per Inch = 4.987 gallons
So, for every inch of depth in this tank, there are approximately 4.99 gallons of water. If the water is 10 inches deep, you have about 49.9 gallons.
Most Common FAQs
To ensure you get an accurate volume calculation, use a reliable measuring tape. For rectangular or square tanks, measure the internal length and width. For cylindrical tanks, measure the internal diameter. For elliptical tanks, measure the internal length and width at their widest points. It is important to measure the inside dimensions to get the correct capacity.
Knowing the gallons per inch of your tank is crucial for effective liquid management. For instance, it allows you to monitor fuel consumption, track water usage, or manage chemical storage levels accurately. This information helps prevent shortages or overflows and allows for better planning and resource management. It is a key piece of data for anyone dealing with stored liquids.
The gallons per inch calculation is most accurate for vertical tanks with straight sides, such as vertical cylinders or rectangular tanks. For horizontal cylindrical or elliptical tanks, the volume per inch changes as the liquid level rises or falls. Calculating the volume for these tanks requires more complex formulas that account for the changing shape of the liquid's surface area. For these types of tanks, it is best to use a specific calculator designed for horizontal tanks.