Grain Bin Calculator
Calculate grain storage capacity, volume, and bushels for silos and grain bins
Grain Bin Capacity Calculator
Bin Dimensions
Radius: 15 feet
Roof Configuration
Grain Properties
Storage Capacity Results
Volume Breakdown
Alternative Units
Construction Information
Physical Properties
Cost Estimate
*Rough estimates for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly.
Example Calculation
Scenario: Round Corn Storage Bin
Specifications: 30 ft diameter, 20 ft sidewall height
Configuration: Conical roof (6 ft), hopper bottom (4 ft)
Grain: Corn (720 kg/m³ test weight)
Fill level: 100%
Calculation Results
Body volume: π × 15² × 20 = 14,137 cu ft
Roof volume: (1/3) × π × 15² × 6 = 1,414 cu ft
Hopper volume: (1/3) × π × 15² × 4 = 942 cu ft
Total capacity: 16,493 cu ft = 12,840 bushels
Standard Grain Test Weights
Standard yellow dent corn
Hard red winter wheat
Standard grade soybeans
Six-row malting barley
Standard white oats
Long grain rough rice
Grain sorghum/milo
Standard rye grain
Oil-type sunflower seeds
Canola seeds
Note: Test weights vary by moisture content and grain quality
Conversion Reference
Volume Conversions
• 1 bushel = 1.244 cubic feet
• 1 cubic foot = 0.7786 bushels
• 1 cubic meter = 35.31 cubic feet
• 1 cubic meter = 28.38 bushels
Common Bin Sizes
• Small: 1,000-5,000 bushels
• Medium: 5,000-25,000 bushels
• Large: 25,000-100,000 bushels
• Commercial: 100,000+ bushels
Design Considerations
Foundation
Concrete pad for stability and moisture protection
Ventilation
Proper airflow to prevent spoilage and moisture
Access
Convenient loading and unloading systems
Safety
Proper entry/exit procedures and monitoring
Pest Control
Sealed construction to prevent rodent access
Understanding Grain Bin Calculations
Volume Calculation Formulas
Grain bin capacity depends on the bin shape and configuration. Different formulas apply for cylindrical vs. rectangular bins, with additional calculations for roofs and hoppers.
Round Bin Formula
Volume = π × R² × H
Bushels = Volume × 0.7786
Where R = radius, H = height, and 0.7786 is the conversion factor
Additional Components
- Conical Roof: (1/3) × π × R² × H_roof
- Curved Roof: π × R² × (2/3 × R + H_roof)
- Hopper: (1/3) × π × R² × H_hopper
Design Benefits
- •Round Shape: Easier to clean, better grain flow
- •Conical Roof: Increased storage, weather protection
- •Hopper Bottom: Gravity-fed unloading
- •Flat Bottom: Lower cost, long-term storage
Planning Considerations
- Storage Duration: Short-term vs. long-term storage needs
- Grain Type: Different crops have different storage requirements
- Access Frequency: How often grain will be moved
- Future Expansion: Planning for farm growth