How Full Tank Cost Calculator Works?
This tool works by multiplying your fuel tank capacity by the price per gallon. The result is the cost to fill the tank from empty.
Find the tank capacity
Check the owner's manual or the manufacturer website. Compact cars hold 11 to 13 gallons (42 to 49 L), and full-size trucks hold 23 to 36 gallons (87 to 136 L).
Enter the tank capacity
Type the capacity in gallons. The default is 15.5 gallons (58.7 L).
Enter the price per gallon
Type the pump price, for example $3.65.
Read the fill cost
The tool returns the dollars needed to fill the tank from empty.
Full Tank Cost Calculator Formula
The formula is Full Tank Cost = Tank Capacity × Price per Gallon.
Full Tank Cost = Tank Capacity × Price per GallonFormula variables
- Tank Capacity
- Total US gallons the tank holds.
- Price per Gallon
- Pump price per US gallon (3.785 L).
Worked example
- Tank Capacity: 15.5 gallons
- Price per Gallon: $3.65/gal
- Multiply 15.5 gallons by $3.65: 15.5 × $3.65 = $56.575, shown as $56.57.
Result: $56.57 ($ to fill)
Most drivers refuel with 1 to 3 gallons left, so a typical fill-up costs 10% to 20% less than the full-tank figure.
Full Tank Cost Calculator Conversion Table
The table lists full-tank costs for 6 tank sizes at 4 fuel prices.
Rows: Tank Capacity (gallons). Columns: Price per Gallon ($/gal). Cells: $ to fill.
| gallons | $3.00/gal | $3.65/gal | $4.25/gal | $5.00/gal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 gallons | $30.00 | $36.50 | $42.50 | $50.00 |
| 12 gallons | $36.00 | $43.80 | $51.00 | $60.00 |
| 15.5 gallons | $46.50 | $56.57 | $65.88 | $77.50 |
| 20 gallons | $60.00 | $73.00 | $85.00 | $100.00 |
| 26 gallons | $78.00 | $94.90 | $110.50 | $130.00 |
| 36 gallons | $108.00 | $131.40 | $153.00 | $180.00 |
A 36-gallon (136 L) pickup tank costs $180.00 to fill at $5.00 per gallon, while a 10-gallon (37.9 L) compact tank costs $30.00 at $3.00.
What is Full Tank Cost Calculator?
The Full Tank Cost Calculator is a tool that shows how much it costs to fill a fuel tank from empty. The tool sets the upper limit of a single fill-up.
Tank size varies widely between vehicle classes. A subcompact holds about 10 gallons, a midsize sedan 14 to 16 gallons, an SUV 18 to 24 gallons, and a heavy-duty pickup up to 36 gallons.
The full-tank figure helps drivers carry enough cash, set fuel card limits, and compare running costs of different vehicles.
What are the uses of Full Tank Cost Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Full Tank Cost Calculator: setting fuel card limits, budgeting a single fill-up, comparing vehicle tank costs, and checking rental car refuel fees.
Setting fuel card limits
Employers set per-transaction limits that cover a full tank.
Budgeting a single fill-up
Drivers know the maximum cash needed at the pump.
Comparing vehicle tank costs
Buyers see the fill-up cost of a truck versus a sedan.
Checking rental car refuel fees
Renters compare the agency refuel fee with the cost of filling up themselves.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.