Oil Tank Guage Chart
Understanding how much heating oil you have is the first step to staying comfortable and prepared through the winter. The chart below helps you estimate how many gallons of oil are in your tank based on the inches shown on your gauge or dipstick.
Each column represents a common residential oil tank size. Find your tank type and match your gauge reading (in inches) to see the approximate gallons remaining. Tank shapes vary and these values are estimate. Use this chart as reliable guide for planning refills.
Every inch on your oil tank gauge represents how many gallons of fuel are in the tank at that height.
Understanding Your Heating Oil Tank Chart
Every inch on your oil tank gauge represents how many gallons of fuel are in the tank at that height.
For example, in a 275-gallon horizontal tank, a reading of 1″ means roughly 6 gallons total, while 10″ equals about 96 gallons. The middle section of the tank holds more fuel per inch than the top or bottom because the tank is round, not rectangular. That’s why the numbers increase unevenly.
When Should You Order Oil?
To avoid running out, Hillside recommends ordering when your gauge reads between ¼ and ⅓ full, or around:
- 10″–12″ on a 275-gallon horizontal tank (about 90–120 gallons remaining)
- 12″–14″ on a 275-gallon vertical tank (about 60–80 gallons remaining)
This gives you a comfortable buffer for cold weather and delivery scheduling.
If your gauge is near the bottom red zone or under 8″, it’s time to call for a delivery now.
Note: Sign up for Hillside’s Automatic Delivery Program so you’ll never have to check your tank again.
When to Order Oil: Don’t Get Caught Empty!
Running out of oil is no fun, and it can even cause issues with your heating system. To play it safe, we always recommend ordering before your tank gets too low.
The “Sweet Spot” for Ordering: Aim to schedule a delivery when your tank gauge reads between ¼ and ⅓ full. This gives you a good buffer for cold snaps and ensures you won’t scrape the bottom of the tank (where sediment can settle).
- For a 275-gallon Horizontal Tank: This usually means you have about 90–120 gallons remaining (when your gauge reads between 10″–12″ from the bottom).
- For a 275-gallon Vertical Tank: You’d be looking at roughly 60–80 gallons left (when your gauge reads between 12″–14″ from the bottom).
Urgent Delivery: If your gauge is dipping into the bottom red zone or showing less than 8 inches, it’s time to call for a delivery right away! Even better, consider signing up for an Automatic Delivery Program so you never have to worry about checking your tank again.
Call Hillside Oil Heating & Cooling today at 302-738-4144 (DE&PA) or 410-398-2146 (MD) for a HONEST estimate.. We’ll come to your home, evaluate your requirements, and offer professional advice and service for any oil tank system.