Calculate bin volume from radius or diameter and height, or estimate material weight from volume and density in ft³, m³, US gal, or bushels.

Use inside dimensions of a straight, circular cylinder. Cone tops, hopper bottoms and headspace are excluded.

Changing radius/diameter reinterprets the entered number; it does not convert it.

Bin Volume Formula

The following formula calculates the internal volume of a straight cylindrical bin. Cone tops and hopper bottoms are excluded.

V = πr²h

Variables:

  • V is the volume of the bin (cubic feet)
  • r is the radius of the bin (feet)
  • h is the height of the bin (feet)

To calculate the volume of a bin, use the formula V = πr²h, where r is the radius of the bin and h is the height of the bin.

What is Bin Volume?

Bin volume is the measure of the total space inside a bin. It is often used to determine the storage capacity of cylindrical bins such as silos, tanks, and other storage containers. Knowing the volume is essential for calculating how much material (grain, liquid, etc.) can be stored in the bin.

How to Calculate Bin Volume?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Bin Volume.

  1. First, select what to solve for and measure the inside radius or diameter in your chosen unit.
  2. Next, measure the height of the bin (h) in feet.
  3. Use the formula V = πr²h to calculate the volume.
  4. Finally, select the result unit and Calculate. For material weight, enter the occupied volume or level fill dimensions and the actual bulk density. US bushels here measure volume, not commodity weight.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

radius of the bin (r) = 5 feet

height of the bin (h) = 10 feet