👤 By whycalculator Team 📅 Last Updated October 01, 2025
Well Volume Calculator
Disclaimer: While we strive to ensure the accuracy of our calculator tools, we cannot be held responsible for any damages or financial losses resulting from their use.
This Well Volume Calculator helps you quickly estimate the amount of water a well can hold based on its radius, total depth, and the depth at which water begins. By simply entering the measurements in your preferred units, the tool calculates the volume. It is especially useful for farmers, engineers, or homeowners who need to determine water availability. The calculator provides results in cubic meters, liters, and cubic feet for easy understanding.
How to Calculate Well Volume
A well is typically shaped like a cylinder (a straight, circular hole in the ground).
The volume of a cylinder is:
V = π × r² × h
Where:
- ( V ) = volume of the well
- ( r ) = radius of the well (half of the diameter)
- ( h ) = height of the water column (depth of water inside well)
Find Water Column Height
The well may not be filled completely to the top. We usually know:
- Total depth of well = ( D )
- Depth till water (distance from ground surface to water level) = ( d_w )
Then:
h = D − dw
If dw is greater than D, the result is 0 (no water in the well).
Always convert all measurements to the same unit before applying the formula.
- For meters: volume in cubic meters (m³)
- For feet: volume in cubic feet (ft³)
- Convert to liters: ( 1 m^3 = 1000 L )
- Convert to gallons: ( 1 ft^3 = 7.48 gallons )
Example 1 (metric units)
- Radius of well: ( r = 0.5 m ) (diameter = 1.0 m)
- Total depth: ( D = 20 m )
- Depth till water: ( dw = 5 m )
Find water height:
h = D – dw = 20 – 5 = 15 m
Apply formula:
V = π × (0.5)² × 15 = 11.78 m^3
Convert units:
- In liters: (11,780 L)
- In cubic feet: (11.78/0.0283 = 416 ft^3)
So the well holds about 11,780 liters of water.
Example 2 (imperial units)
- Diameter = 3 ft → radius = 1.5 ft
- Total depth = 60 ft
- Depth till water = 10 ft
Water height:
h = 60 – 10 = 50 ft
Volume:
V = π × (1.5)² × 50 = π × 2.25 × 50
= 353.43 ft^3
Convert to gallons:
353.43 × 7.48 = 2,642 gallons
This well holds about 2,642 gallons of water.
Related Calculators: