Tank dips

Turn a dipstick reading into litres for your depot fuel tank, check that deliveries and bowser readings add up, and print a dip chart for the tank.

Rules checked 25 Sept 2026 against ASTM D1250-80 Table 54B (volume correction for diesel). Official pages are watched weekly for changes.

Your tank

Use the inside measurements (internal diameter, internal length of the straight section). Ask the tank supplier if unsure.

Inside diameter

Length of the straight section

Ends

Full capacity 39,270 L at a dip of 2,500 mm.

Dip reading

Dip

Fuel temperature

°C

Density at 15 °C

kg/m³

In the tank

22,965 L

Full: 58.5 %
Room left: 16,305 L
At 15 °C: 22,829 L

Does it add up?

Compare two dips with what was delivered and pumped out in between.

Opening dip

Closing dip

Delivered

Pumped out (bowser meter)

Opening: 27,496 L
Should be: 22,996 L
Actually is: 22,965 L
Difference: -31 L

31 L is unaccounted for (0.07 % of the fuel that moved). Check for leaks, meter drift, a short delivery or theft. Temperature changes between dips also move the figure slightly.

Dip chart for this tank

A table of litres at every step of depth, to print and keep by the tank.

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