Vertical Cylinder Volume

Vertical Cylinder Volume is a calculator for cylinders that stand upright with their circular base on the ground. This is the most common orientation for water tanks, silos, drums, rain barrels, and drinking glasses. This tool exists because vertical cylinders have the simplest partial fill relationship — the fill level is directly proportional to the volume, making gauging and measurement straightforward.

The formula V = πr²h applies directly, and partial fill at any depth d is simply V = πr²d. This linearity is why vertical tanks are the preferred orientation when accurate fill level monitoring is important.

This calculator is used for sizing water storage tanks, rain barrels, grain silos, industrial drums, and any upright cylindrical container where you need to know total capacity or current fill volume.

Vertical cylinders take up less floor space for a given volume — height is free, but floor area costs money. A tall, narrow tank holds the same volume as a short, wide one but occupies a smaller footprint.

Gauging is simpler. A dipstick reading is directly proportional to fill volume. A mark at half the height means exactly half full.

Gravity-fed systems work naturally with vertical tanks. The water pressure at the outlet depends on the liquid height above it, so taller tanks provide more pressure.

Standard 55-gallon drum: diameter 57 cm, height 85 cm, holds 208 litres. Rain barrel: diameter 60 cm, height 90 cm, holds about 254 litres. Home water heater: diameter 46 cm, height 120 cm, holds about 200 litres. Grain silo: diameter 5 m, height 15 m, holds about 294,524 litres.

These are all vertical cylinders. The formula V = πr²h applies to each one — the only difference is scale.