Pipe Volume Calculator
Enter the length and diameter of your pipe in inches, and our calculator will determine the pipe volume in cubic inches, gallons, and pounds.
Pipe Volume Calculator
Enter the inner diameter and length of the pipe to calculate the volume:
- liters
- cubic inches
- gallons
- pounds
To calculate pipe volume in cubic inches, you’ll need the diameter and length of the pipe in inches. Here is the pipe volume formula:
Pipe Volume = π x (diameter²/4) x length in inches
Once you’ve determined the cubic inches of the pipe, you can convert them to gallons with the following formula:
Gallons = cubic inches ÷ 231
If you’d like to know the liquid density in pounds, multiply your cubic inches by 0.036.
Pounds = cubic inches x 0.036
Refer to our chart below for the pounds, cubic inches, and gallons of water per foot of pipe.
| Pipe Size | Volume (in³/ft) | Volume (gallons/ft) | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16" | 0.0368 in³ | 0.000159 gal | 0.001331 lbs |
| 1/2" | 2.356 in³ | 0.0102 gal | 0.0852 lbs |
| 3/4" | 5.301 in³ | 0.0229 gal | 0.1916 lbs |
| 1" | 9.425 in³ | 0.0408 gal | 0.3407 lbs |
| 1 1/4" | 14.726 in³ | 0.0637 gal | 0.5323 lbs |
| 1 1/2" | 21.206 in³ | 0.0918 gal | 0.7665 lbs |
| 2" | 37.699 in³ | 0.1632 gal | 1.363 lbs |
| 2 1/2" | 58.905 in³ | 0.255 gal | 2.129 lbs |
| 3" | 84.823 in³ | 0.3672 gal | 3.066 lbs |
| 3 1/2" | 117.215 in³ | 0.5076 gal | 4.236 lbs |
| 4" | 150.8 in³ | 0.6528 gal | 5.451 lbs |
| 5" | 235.62 in³ | 1.02 gal | 8.517 lbs |
| 6" | 339.29 in³ | 1.469 gal | 12.264 lbs |
Calculating Pipe Volume: Example
If you’d like to know how to calculate pipe volume manually, we’ll review an example.
Example: Your pipe’s dimensions are 2 inches in diameter and 25 feet long.
The first step is to convert the length to inches. Since there are 12 inches in a foot, we’ll multiply 25 x 12 to determine the length in inches.
25 x 12 = 300 inches
From there, we can plug numbers into our pipe volume formula. We will use 3.1415 for π. Our formula will look like this:
- Pipe Volume = 3.1415 x (2²/4) x 600
Now we can solve the equation
- Pipe Volume = 3.1415 x 1 x 600
- Pipe Volume = 1,884.90 cubic inches
We can convert cubic inches to gallons by dividing by 231:
- 8.16 Gallons = 1,884.90 ÷ 231
We can determine the liquid density of the pipe in pounds by multiplying cubic inches by 0.036:
- 67.86 lbs. = 1,884.90 x 0.036
How Do I Calculate How Many Liters of Water a Pipe Will Hold?
If you’re looking to calculate how many liters of water a pipe will hold, start by using our equation to determine the pipe volume in cubic inches.
Pipe Volume = π x (diameter²/4) x length in inches
Then convert cubic inches to liters by dividing by 61.0237.
Liters of water a pipe can hold = cubic inches ÷ 61.0237
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
What does pipe volume mean?
Pipe volume is the amount of substance a pipe can hold. Plumbers use pipe volume in building plans to ensure that a pipe is the correct size for a substance (like water or gas) to move through.
How to determine the diameter of a pipe?
If the end of the pipe is accessible, find the diameter by using a ruler or tape measure to measure the opening. If the pipe end is not accessible, you can use a flexible tape measure to measure the outer circumference and divide that number by pi, which is 3.1415.
How to determine the radius of a pipe?
The radius of a pipe is its diameter divided by 2.