Free printable dip chart · Updated 5 August 2026
A 1,000 litre oil tank holds about 999 litres full and roughly 849 litres at the 85% safe fill. A dip reading of 39cm on this upright rectangular tank is about 330 litres, or 33% full, so topping up would cost about £504 at 92.5p on 5 August 2026.
The 1,000 litre tank is one of the most common domestic sizes in the UK, typical of a three-bedroom home. This upright rectangular pattern fills in a near-linear way, so depth and litres track closely.
This tank holds about 999 litres full, with a 85% safe fill near 849 litres. A dip reading of 39cm works out at roughly 330 litres, or 33% full. Topping up to safe fill from there is about 519 litres, around £504 at today’s UK average of 92.5p per litre on 5 August 2026.
Every 5cm of oil depth for the 1,000 litre oil tank. Print this and keep it by the tank.
| Depth (cm) | Litres | % full |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 42 | 4% |
| 10 | 85 | 8% |
| 15 | 127 | 13% |
| 20 | 169 | 17% |
| 25 | 212 | 21% |
| 30 | 254 | 25% |
| 35 | 296 | 30% |
| 40 | 339 | 34% |
| 45 | 381 | 38% |
| 50 | 423 | 42% |
| 55 | 465 | 47% |
| 60 | 508 | 51% |
| 65 | 550 | 55% |
| 70 | 592 | 59% |
| 75 | 635 | 64% |
| 80 | 677 | 68% |
| 85 | 719 | 72% |
| 90 | 762 | 76% |
| 95 | 804 | 81% |
| 100 | 846 | 85% |
| 105 | 889 | 89% |
| 110 | 931 | 93% |
| 115 | 973 | 97% |
| 118 | 999 | 100% |
Upright / rectangular tank (linear with depth): litres = capacity x (depth / full_height) This tank: width 91cm, height 118cm, length 93cm capacity = 999 litres safe fill = 999 x 0.85 = 849 litres Example: depth 39cm -> 330 litres (33% full)
| Figure | Value | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| tank safe fill pct | 0.85 ratio | OFTEC guidance: tanks are filled to 80-90% of stated capacity to allow expansion | 2026-07-28 |
| vat domestic | 0.05 ratio | VAT Act 1994 Schedule 7A Group 1, domestic fuel reduced rate | 2026-07-28 |
Make and exact dimensions. The figures here are for representative internal dimensions of a 1,000 litre oil tank. Different makes vary by a few centimetres, so if your dip reading seems out of step, measure your own tank and use the custom builder.
Shape. This is an upright tank that fills close to linearly, so depth and litres track fairly evenly from bottom to top.
Safe fill. Order to the 85% figure of about 849 litres rather than the brim, so the oil has room to expand and the vent does not overflow during delivery.
Reading conditions. Keep the rod vertical and resting on the base, and allow for a little sludge at the bottom of an older tank. Treat the very lowest readings as a warning to reorder rather than a precise measure.
Read your tank and know roughly how much to order? Compare quotes from local suppliers and top up before you run low.
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