How the Partial Fill Calculator Works
The Partial Fill Calculator finds the liters and kilograms inside a container at a fill percentage. The calculator converts mass to liters; the table gives mass at each fill level for a 1,000 L IBC.
Read the fill level
Read the percentage from a sight gauge, level scale or dipstick.
Multiply by capacity
Liters inside = capacity × fill % ÷ 100.
Multiply by density
Mass inside = liters × density.
Check with the calculator
Type a weighed mass and density to confirm the liters.
Partial Fill Calculator Formula
The partial fill formula is Mass = Capacity × Fill % × Density, and Volume = Capacity × Fill %.
- f
- Fill fraction (0.65 for 65%)
- Vcap
- Container capacity, L
Worked Examples
- IBC at 65% with diesel: 1,000 × 0.65 × 0.832 = 541 kg.
- 200 L drum at 40% with glycerin: 200 × 0.40 × 1.261 = 100.9 kg.
- Tank at 25% with water: 5,000 L × 0.25 = 1,250 L = 1,250 kg.
Partial Fill Calculator Conversion Table
A 1,000 L IBC at 50% fill holds 500 L, which weighs 416 kg in diesel or 760 kg in 50% caustic soda. The table lists IBC contents by fill level.
| Fill Level | Volume (L) | Water (kg) | Diesel (kg) | Vegetable Oil (kg) | 50% NaOH (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 50 | 50 | 42 | 46 | 76 |
| 10% | 100 | 100 | 83 | 92 | 152 |
| 20% | 200 | 200 | 166 | 184 | 304 |
| 25% | 250 | 250 | 208 | 230 | 380 |
| 30% | 300 | 300 | 250 | 276 | 456 |
| 40% | 400 | 400 | 333 | 368 | 608 |
| 50% | 500 | 500 | 416 | 460 | 760 |
| 60% | 600 | 600 | 499 | 552 | 912 |
| 70% | 700 | 700 | 582 | 644 | 1,064 |
| 75% | 750 | 750 | 624 | 690 | 1,140 |
| 80% | 800 | 800 | 666 | 736 | 1,216 |
| 90% | 900 | 900 | 749 | 828 | 1,368 |
| 100% | 1,000 | 1,000 | 832 | 920 | 1,520 |
Fill levels assume a straight-sided container. Horizontal cylinders and tanks with sloped bottoms need a strapping table.
What is a Partial Fill Calculator?
A Partial Fill Calculator is a tool that finds the volume and mass of product in a container that is only partly full.
IBC totes, drums and day tanks rarely sit full. Gauges show a percentage, and the partial fill calculation turns that into liters and kilograms for stock records.
Straight-sided containers have a linear fill curve. Horizontal cylinders do not: a horizontal tank at 50% depth holds 50% volume, but at 25% depth holds only about 19.5%.
What are the Uses of a Partial Fill Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of a Partial Fill Calculator.
Stock audits
Auditors convert gauge readings into kg on hand.
Reorder points
Planners trigger orders when tanks drop below a set fill.
Chemical dosing
Operators track daily use from fill level change.
Fuel management
Sites convert day tank levels into generator run hours.