How the Heating Oil Converter Works
The Heating Oil Converter divides heating oil mass by its density. The default 0.85 kg/L fits gas oil (red diesel, 35-second oil) and US No. 2 heating oil.
Pick the oil type
US No. 2 heating oil and UK 35-second gas oil run near 0.85 kg/L; UK 28-second kerosene runs near 0.80 kg/L.
Enter the mass
Type the oil weight in kilograms.
Read the liters
The result shows the tank volume to fill.
Check tank size
Use the table for the weight of oil in common domestic tanks.
Heating Oil Converter Formula
The heating oil formula is V = m ÷ 0.85, and the reverse is m = V × 0.85. Heating oil holds about 10.6 kWh per liter (138,500 Btu per US gal).
- 0.85
- Heating oil density at 15°C, kg/L
Worked Examples
- UK 1,200 L tank: 1,200 × 0.85 = 1,020 kg of oil.
- US 275 gal tank: 275 × 3.785 = 1,041 L × 0.85 = 885 kg.
- Energy in a 1,000 L delivery: 1,000 × 10.6 = 10,600 kWh.
Heating Oil Converter Conversion Table
A full 1,000 L heating oil tank holds about 850 kg (1,874 lb) of oil. The table converts common domestic and commercial tank sizes.
| Volume (L / US gal) | Kilograms (kg) | Pounds (lb) | Metric Tonnes (t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 L (5.283 gal) | 17.000 | 37.479 | 0.01700 |
| 205 L (54.155 gal) | 174.25 | 384.16 | 0.174 |
| 500 L (132.09 gal) | 425.00 | 936.96 | 0.425 |
| 1,000 L (264.17 gal) | 850.00 | 1,873.9 | 0.850 |
| 1,041 L (275.00 gal) | 884.85 | 1,950.8 | 0.885 |
| 1,200 L (317.01 gal) | 1,020.0 | 2,248.7 | 1.020 |
| 1,400 L (369.84 gal) | 1,190.0 | 2,623.5 | 1.190 |
| 2,500 L (660.43 gal) | 2,125.0 | 4,684.8 | 2.125 |
| 5,000 L (1,320.9 gal) | 4,250.0 | 9,369.6 | 4.250 |
| 10,000 L (2,641.7 gal) | 8,500.0 | 18,739 | 8.500 |
1,041 L equals a 275 US gal tank; 205 L equals a 45 imperial gal drum.
What is a Heating Oil Converter?
A Heating Oil Converter is a calculator that converts heating oil between weight and volume for tank deliveries and boiler planning.
Heating oil is a middle distillate close to diesel, burned in boilers and furnaces. US No. 2 heating oil falls under ASTM D396; UK gas oil falls under BS 2869 Class A2.
Off-road heating oil carries a red or green dye to mark lower tax. The dye has no effect on density or energy content.
What are the Uses of a Heating Oil Converter?
There are 4 main uses of a Heating Oil Converter.
Delivery orders
Homeowners convert free tank space into delivery liters.
Tank base loads
Installers check that tank bases carry a full tank weight.
Boiler run time
Users estimate days of heat from oil stock.
Spill reporting
Responders convert spilled liters into kg for reports.