What is a Rectangular Tank?
A rectangular tank (also known as a cuboid or box tank) is a six-sided flat-walled storage container defined by its length, width, and height. Rectangular tanks are widely preferred in commercial, agricultural, and domestic applications because their straight vertical walls maximize space efficiency when installed against flat surfaces, in basements, or within rectangular footprints.
Whether you are sizing an underground concrete sump, a livestock water trough, a swimming pool, or a domestic storage cistern, calculating rectangular tank volume simply requires multiplying internal length by width and depth.
How to Use the Calculator
Using our rectangular tank volume calculator is straightforward. Just follow these steps:
- Measure the length of the tank (the longest side).
- Measure the width of the tank (the shorter side).
- Measure the height or depth of the tank.
- Enter all three dimensions into the calculator.
- Choose your desired output unit (litres, gallons, or cubic meters).
- Click Calculate to get instant, accurate results.
Rectangular Tank Volume Formula
Volume = Length × Width × Height
This formula works because rectangular tanks maintain the same cross-section from top to bottom, allowing their volume to be calculated simply by multiplying all three dimensions.
Example Calculation
Let’s calculate the capacity of a rectangular water tank with the following measurements:
- Length: 2 meters
- Width: 1.5 meters
- Height: 1 meter
Volume = 2 × 1.5 × 1 = 3 cubic meters
3 cubic meters = 3,000 litres
Learn More About Rectangular Geometry
If you want to explore the mathematical principles behind rectangular tanks, you can read Wolfram MathWorld guide on cuboids, which explains how box-shaped objects are measured in geometry.
Return to the Tank Volume Calculator homepage to explore calculators for other tank shapes such as cylindrical, horizontal, elliptical, capsule, and vertical tanks.
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 |