Most home heating-oil tanks come in a handful of standard sizes — 275 gallons being by far the most common above ground, with 550- and 1,000-gallon cylinders typical underground. Use the chart for standard dimensions, or the calculator to estimate capacity from measurements and how much oil is left from your gauge reading.
| Tank | Typical dimensions | Where used | Usable fill (~90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 275 gal vertical oval | 27" W × 44" H × 60" L | Basement/garage — the standard | ~250 gal |
| 275 gal horizontal oval | 44" W × 27" H × 60" L | Basement, low-clearance | ~250 gal |
| 330 gal oval | 27" W × 44" H × 72" L | Larger homes, aboveground | ~300 gal |
| 550 gal cylinder | 48" Ø × 65" L | Underground | ~500 gal |
| 1,000 gal cylinder | 48" Ø × 130" L | Underground | ~900 gal |
Dimensions are the common manufacturer standards — individual tanks vary slightly.
≈ gallons remaining. At a typical 3–7 gal/day winter burn rate that's roughly of heating.
The standard aboveground residential tank is a 275-gallon oval (roughly 27" wide, 44" high, 60" long), installed vertically or horizontally; 330-gallon ovals are the longer variant. Buried residential tanks are usually 550- or 1,000-gallon steel cylinders. Dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer.
Less than 275 gallons — fills are typically stopped around 250 gallons (about 90%) to leave air space for expansion. Your gauge reading times usable capacity gives a realistic estimate, which is what the calculator does.
An underground tank of any size is a liability question in NJ real estate: buried residential heating-oil tanks are common at older homes, and a leaking one can mean a five-figure cleanup. If you’re buying, a tank sweep (~$200–$500) finds buried tanks before closing.
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