Updated Advanced Volume Tool

Volume Conversion Calculator

Convert between metric, US and UK volume units, and compute tank, pool and barrel volumes with geometry-based formulas.

Metric & Imperial Units Liquid & Dry Volume Tank & Pool Volume Barrels & Drums

Interactive Volume Conversion & Volume Geometry Calculator

Use the tabs below to convert volume between units or to compute volumes of tanks, pools and barrels from dimensions. All results are returned in cubic units, liters and gallons for quick comparison.

Enter a value and base unit to see equivalent volumes in all supported units in the table below.

Use this tab for cooking and beverage conversions between liters, gallons, cups, tablespoons, teaspoons and similar units.

Dry volume is used for grains, produce and bulk storage. This tab converts between cubic units, liters and US dry measures.

Choose the tank shape and enter dimensions in the same length unit. The calculator returns volume in cubic meters, liters and gallons.

Enter pool dimensions and average depth to estimate water volume in cubic meters, liters and gallons.

Use the standard 55-gallon drum option or enter custom barrel dimensions to compute volume at a given fill percentage.

Volume Conversion Calculator – Convert Any Volume Unit Instantly

The Volume Conversion Calculator on MyTimeCalculator is a complete, multi-mode tool that helps you convert between metric, imperial, US customary, UK imperial, cooking, dry, liquid, and engineering volume units. It also includes tank volume calculators, pool volume estimators, and barrel/drum volume calculations. This article explains all volume formulas, unit relationships, conversion rules, geometric volume equations, and real-world examples.

Volume represents the three-dimensional space occupied by an object or substance. Whether you measure liquid, gas, dry goods, soil, concrete, pool water, tank capacity, or industrial fluids, volume units help quantify how much space is filled. Different industries use different units, so having a fast converter ensures accuracy.

What Is Volume?

Volume measures how much space an object or substance occupies. Mathematically, volume is expressed in cubic units. For example:

V = length × width × height

For irregular shapes or liquids, other formulas are used. All volume units ultimately convert to cubic meters (m³), the SI base unit for volume.

Main Volume Units and Their Relationships

There are several systems of volume measurement:

  • Metric (SI): m³, cm³, mm³, liters (L), milliliters (mL)
  • US Customary Liquid: gallons, quarts, pints, cups, fluid ounces
  • US Customary Dry: dry gallons, pecks, bushels
  • UK Imperial: imperial gallons, pints
  • Cubic Units: cubic inches, cubic feet, cubic yards

Each system has its own structure. For example, the metric system is based on powers of ten, while US and UK gallon systems come from historical definitions.

Key Metric Conversion Factors

Metric volume units convert simply:

1 m³ = 1000 L
1 L = 1000 mL
1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³

Since powers of ten are used, metric volume conversions are fast and intuitive.

US Liquid Volume Conversion Factors

  • 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 liters
  • 1 US quart = 0.946352946 liters
  • 1 US pint = 0.473176473 liters
  • 1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735295625 milliliters
  • 1 US cup = 236.5882365 milliliters

UK Imperial Volume Conversion Factors

  • 1 UK (Imperial) gallon = 4.54609 liters
  • 1 UK pint = 568.26125 milliliters

Note that UK gallons differ significantly from US gallons.

Cubic Unit Conversions

  • 1 cubic foot (ft³) = 0.028316846592 m³
  • 1 cubic inch (in³) = 16.387064 cm³
  • 1 cubic yard (yd³) = 0.764554857984 m³

Dry Volume Units

Dry goods such as grain, fertilizer, produce, and soil often use dry units:

  • 1 US bushel = 35.23907016688 liters
  • 1 US peck = 8.80976754172 liters
  • 1 US dry gallon = 4.40488377086 liters

How the Volume Converter Works

The tool converts all values through cubic meters (m³) as a neutral reference. When you enter a value in any unit, the calculator converts it internally to m³, then outputs the result in the selected target unit.

Formula for Converting Between Units

Volume₂ = Volume₁ × (Conversion Factor₁ → m³) × (Conversion Factor m³ → Unit₂)

This ensures accurate, precise, consistent conversions across all systems.

Tank Volume Calculator – All Shapes

The tool includes a complete tank volume system, covering rectangular, vertical cylindrical, and horizontal cylindrical tanks (including partially filled tanks).

Rectangular Tank Volume Formula

V = L × W × H

Where:

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

Vertical Cylindrical Tank Formula

V = πr²h

This formula applies to vertical water tanks, silos, and large storage drums.

Horizontal Cylindrical Tank (Partially Filled)

This shape requires segment area integration. The formula used is:

V = L × ½R²(θ − sinθ)

Where:

  • R = radius of tank
  • L = length of tank
  • θ = 2 × arccos((R − h)/R)
  • h = fill depth

The calculator automatically determines the segment area and fills in the correct geometry.

Pool Volume Calculator – Rectangular, Circular, and Oval

Pools come in several standard shapes, each requiring different formulas.

Rectangular Pool Formula

V = L × W × D

Circular Pool Formula

V = πr²D

Oval Pool Formula

V = πabD

Where a and b are half the long and short dimensions.

Barrel and Drum Volume

The calculator includes both standard 55-gallon drum volumes and custom cylindrical barrels.

Custom Barrel Formula

V = πr²h

You may also calculate partial fill based on percentage.

Examples of Volume Calculations

Example 1: Converting Gallons to Liters

Convert 12 US gallons to liters:

Liters = 12 × 3.785411784 = 45.424941408 L

Example 2: Pool Volume

A rectangular pool is 25 ft by 12 ft and 5 ft deep:

V = 25 × 12 × 5 = 1500 ft³

Convert to gallons:

US gallons = 1500 ÷ 0.003785411784 = 396,000 gallons

Example 3: Cylindrical Tank

Radius = 1.2 m, Height = 3 m:

V = π × (1.2)² × 3 = 13.57 m³

Example 4: Dry Volume

Convert 2 bushels to liters:

Liters = 2 × 35.23907016688 = 70.47814 L

Understanding Liquid vs Dry vs Solid Volumes

Liquid Volumes

Used for water, beverages, chemicals, milk, oil, etc.

Dry Volumes

Used for agricultural grains, fertilizers, soil, produce.

Solid Volumes

Used for concrete, lumber, stone, tank contents, pool capacity.

Advanced Volume Concepts

Volume by Integration

More complex shapes require calculus. The horizontal cylinder formula used in the calculator comes from integrating the area of a circular segment.

Volume of Composite Shapes

If an object contains multiple shapes, total volume is:

V(total) = V₁ + V₂ + V₃ + …

Volume Scaling Rule

If length scales by factor k:

Volume scales by k³

This is why small changes in dimension cause large changes in volume.

Benefits of Using the Volume Conversion Calculator

  • Accurate, real-time conversions
  • Handles over 20+ volume units
  • Includes tank, pool, and barrel geometry
  • Fast, precise engineering calculations
  • Ideal for construction, plumbing, chemistry, cooking, agriculture, and physics
  • Supports industrial tanks and custom measurements

How to Use the Calculator

  1. Select the conversion mode.
  2. Enter your value.
  3. Select the units.
  4. View instant conversions.
  5. Use tank or pool modes for geometry-based calculations.

Volume Conversion FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about volume conversion, unit relationships, and tank geometry.

The SI base unit of volume is the cubic meter (m³). Many other units convert to m³.

1 cubic meter = 1000 liters.

No. UK gallons are larger (4.54609 L) than US gallons (3.785411784 L).

Liquid gallons measure fluids; dry gallons measure dry goods and produce. They are not equal.

It depends on tank shape. Rectangular uses L×W×H, cylindrical uses πr²h, and horizontal cylinders use circular segment formulas.

Use the rectangular, circular, or oval formulas depending on your pool shape. The calculator includes all modes.

Yes, it includes cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and fl oz.

Yes, it includes dry gallons, pecks, and bushels.

The calculator includes a 55-gallon drum and custom cylindrical barrels.

Yes. It uses exact conversion constants for precise results.

Yes. The tool supports industrial units, tank shapes, and engineering-grade precision.

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