500 Gallon Propane Tank chart
Geometric capacity 500 gallons. Maximum fill 80% (~400 gal propane).
| Depth | Gallons | Liters | % Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1″ | 4 | 13 | 1% |
| 2″ | 10 | 37 | 2% |
| 3″ | 18 | 68 | 4% |
| 4″ | 28 | 105 | 6% |
| 5″ | 38 | 146 | 8% |
| 6″ | 50 | 191 | 10% |
| 7″ | 63 | 239 | 13% |
| 8″ | 77 | 290 | 15% |
| 9″ | 91 | 344 | 18% |
| 10″ | 106 | 400 | 21% |
| 11″ | 121 | 458 | 24% |
| 12″ | 137 | 517 | 27% |
| 13″ | 153 | 578 | 31% |
| 14″ | 169 | 641 | 34% |
| 15″ | 186 | 704 | 37% |
| 16″ | 203 | 768 | 41% |
| 17″ | 220 | 833 | 44% |
| 18″ | 237 | 898 | 47% |
| 19″ | 254 | 963 | 51% |
| 20″ | 272 | 1,028 | 54% |
| 21″ | 289 | 1,092 | 58% |
| 22″ | 306 | 1,157 | 61% |
| 23″ | 322 | 1,220 | 64% |
| 24″ | 339 | 1,283 | 68% |
| 25″ | 355 | 1,345 | 71% |
| 26″ | 371 | 1,405 | 74% |
| 27″ | 387 | 1,464 | 77% |
| 28″ | 402 | 1,521 | 80% |
| 29″ | 416 | 1,576 | 83% |
| 30″ | 430 | 1,629 | 86% |
| 31″ | 443 | 1,678 | 89% |
| 32″ | 456 | 1,725 | 91% |
| 33″ | 467 | 1,768 | 93% |
| 34″ | 477 | 1,807 | 96% |
| 35″ | 486 | 1,841 | 97% |
| 36″ | 494 | 1,869 | 99% |
| 37″ | 499 | 1,888 | 100% |
| 37.5″ | 500 | 1,893 | 100% |
Reading the gauge (don't stick a propane tank)
Propane vessels are sealed pressure vessels — you never open or stick them. Read the float gauge on top: it shows percent of water capacity, and gallons of propane = gauge % × water capacity. The inch table below is the underlying geometry, useful for cross-checking a suspect gauge against a delivery ticket. Maximum legal fill is 80%, so a healthy gauge tops out around there after a delivery.
About this chart
Source geometry: Nominal 37.5 in dia ASME vessel; length solved to nameplate capacity.. Values are computed with exact partial-fill formulas (see methodology) — a circular/obround segment for the shell, plus dished-head volume solved so total capacity equals nameplate water capacity.
Propane note: your float gauge reads percent of water capacity. Gallons of propane = gauge % × 500. Maximum legal fill is 80%.
FAQ
How many gallons are in my 500 gallon propane tank at half depth?
About 254 gallons. Use the stick reader above for any depth.
Where do I measure from?
From the inside bottom of the tank, straight up to the wet line on your stick. Keep the stick vertical.
Why does my manufacturer chart differ by a gallon or two?
Manufacturer charts account for that tank's exact head shape and fittings; this chart is exact for the stated geometry. Differences are typically 1–3%. Maximum fill 80% (~400 gal propane).