How It Works
This checker works in 4 steps.
Enter the preparation volumes
Type stock, diluent, and any additions, or the total volume.
Choose the container
Select a tube, bottle, flask, bucket, or tank, or type its nominal capacity.
Set the headspace
Type the percent of capacity kept empty for mixing, such as 10%.
Read the result
The checker returns usable capacity, fits or exceeds, and the next standard size.
The Formula
The formula reduces nominal capacity by the headspace fraction and compares it with the preparation volume.
V_usable = V_nominal × (1 − h)V_prep = V_stock + V_diluent + Σ V_addFits if V_prep ≤ V_usable- V_nominal:
- Container's rated capacity
- h:
- Headspace fraction
- V_prep:
- Total preparation volume
A 45 mL preparation in a 50 mL tube with 10% headspace has a usable capacity of 45 mL, so it fits with no room to spare.
Conversion Table
The conversion table checks 6 preparations against container capacity with a headspace allowance.
| Preparation | Container | Headspace | Usable capacity | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 mL | 10 mL tube | 10% | 9 mL | Exceeds |
| 45 mL | 50 mL tube | 10% | 45 mL | Fits |
| 1.6 mL | 1.5 mL tube | 0% | 1.5 mL | Exceeds |
| 900 mL | 1 L bottle | 10% | 900 mL | Fits |
| 14 L | 15 L bucket | 10% | 13.5 L | Exceeds |
| 3.6 L | 1 US gal (3.785 L) jug | 5% | 3.6 L | Fits |
What Is the Container Capacity Checker?
The Container Capacity Checker is a tool that compares the total volume of a planned preparation with the usable capacity of the chosen container, after a headspace allowance for mixing. The checker returns fits or exceeds and suggests the next container size.
A preparation that fills a tube to the brim cannot be inverted or vortexed. A 10% headspace leaves room for mixing and for foaming detergents. The checker sums stock, diluent, and any additions, then applies the user's headspace rule to the container's nominal capacity.
Common Uses
There are 5 main uses of this checker.
Tube selection
Users pick 1.5 mL, 15 mL, or 50 mL tubes for a batch.
Flask selection
Labs check that a volumetric step fits the flask.
Bucket mixing
Facility staff check mop bucket fill lines.
Tank batching
Growers check sprayer tank capacity.
Shipping preparation
Shippers keep fill below container limits.