What is an Elliptical Storage Tank?
An elliptical storage tank features an oval cross-section, commonly used on road transport tanker trucks to lower the center of gravity and improve vehicle stability while hauling liquids.
Check geometry guides via Engineering Toolbox Geometry Reference.
How the Calculator Works
To calculate the internal volume of an elliptical tank, the calculator uses three main measurements:
- a – Semi-major axis (half of the tank’s widest dimension)
- b – Semi-minor axis (half of the tank’s shortest dimension)
- h – Height or length of the tank
Once you enter these values, the tool instantly computes the tank’s capacity in litres, gallons, and cubic meters.
Elliptical Tank Volume Formula
Volume = π × a × b × h
Where:
- π (Pi) = 3.14159
- a = Semi-major axis
- b = Semi-minor axis
- h = Height or length of the tank
This formula is used to calculate the volume of any elliptical cylinder, regardless of the liquid stored.
Example Calculation
Let’s assume an elliptical tank has the following dimensions:
- Semi-major axis (a): 0.8 meters
- Semi-minor axis (b): 0.5 meters
- Height (h): 2 meters
Volume = π × 0.8 × 0.5 × 2 ≈ 2.51 cubic meters
Final Capacity: 2.51 cubic meters ≈ 2,510 litres
Where Elliptical Tanks Are Commonly Used
- Fuel transport and aviation systems
- Marine vessels and ship storage compartments
- Chemical and pharmaceutical production units
- Portable water tanks with low-profile requirements
- Industrial equipment with height or width restrictions
- Food processing and liquid transport applications
Learn More
To understand how elliptical shapes are calculated in geometry, you can explore this detailed overview of ellipses .
For more tools related to different tank configurations, visit our full tank volume calculator collection, where you can compare various designs and their capacities.
Standard Tank Capacity & Volume Sizing Chart
| Tank Sizing / Model | Typical Dimensions | Litres | US Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Litres (132 gal) | 0.86m × 0.95m (2.8ft × 3.1ft) | 500 L | 132 gal |
| 1,000 Litres (264 gal) | 1.10m × 1.15m (3.6ft × 3.8ft) | 1,000 L | 264 gal |
| 2,500 Litres (660 gal) | 1.45m × 1.60m (4.8ft × 5.2ft) | 2,500 L | 660 gal |
| 5,000 Litres (1,320 gal) | 1.85m × 1.95m (6.1ft × 6.4ft) | 5,000 L | 1,320 gal |
| 10,000 Litres (2,640 gal) | 2.35m × 2.40m (7.7ft × 7.9ft) | 10,000 L | 2,640 gal |