Air Receiver Tank Sizing Calculator
- Sullair dealer since 1984
- Serving industry since 1978
- No form fill, nothing gated
What this calculator tells you
Size a receiver to ride through peak demand events that exceed your compressor's output, without letting system pressure fall below what your tools need.
Your System
Results
Required receiver volume:
0 gallons
Recommended standard tank: 0
Sanity check: the general rule is 3 to 4 gallons of receiver volume per CFM of compressor capacity. For your 80 CFM compressor, that is 240 to 320 gallons.
How this is calculated
- V (cubic feet) = T x C x Pa / (P1 - P2)
- T = ride-through time in minutes. C = peak demand minus compressor output (CFM). Pa = 14.7 PSI atmospheric. P1 = maximum pressure. P2 = minimum acceptable pressure.
- Gallons = cubic feet x 7.48, rounded up to the nearest standard tank: 60, 80, 120, 240, 400, 660, 1060, 1550, 2560 gallons.
- A wider allowable pressure band (P1 - P2) means a smaller tank does the same job.
Estimates only. Actual results depend on your equipment and operating conditions. Call 800.825.3222 for exact sizing.
Common questions
How do I size an air receiver tank?
Use V = T x C x Pa / (P1 - P2), where T is the time in minutes you need to ride through a peak event, C is the shortfall between peak demand and compressor output in CFM, Pa is atmospheric pressure (14.7 PSI), P1 is maximum system pressure, and P2 is the minimum acceptable pressure. The result is volume in cubic feet; multiply by 7.48 to get gallons, then round up to the nearest standard tank size.
How many gallons of receiver tank do I need per CFM?
A common rule of thumb is 3 to 4 gallons of receiver volume per CFM of compressor capacity. An 80 CFM compressor would pair with roughly a 240 to 320 gallon receiver. Use the formula for your actual peak events, then check it against this rule. Variable-speed compressors and plants with sharp intermittent demand may need more storage.
What does an air receiver tank actually do?
A receiver stores compressed air to cover short peaks in demand that exceed compressor output, smooths pressure swings, reduces compressor cycling, and gives moisture a chance to drop out before the dryer. Without enough storage, pressure sags during peak events and the compressor short-cycles, which wastes energy and wears the machine.
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These are estimates. An air audit gives you measurements.
A week of logged data on your actual system beats any rule of thumb. Our engineers run no-obligation compressed air audits across 14 Midwest locations.