Estimate Stored Bushels

Whether grain is stored in square or rectangular buildings, round bins, or triangular or conical piles, you can easily estimate the number of bushels. All you need to know are the following formulas:

Square And Rectangular Bins
Measure the length (L), width (W) and average height (H) in feet of the grain. You may wish to level a section of the pile to obtain a more accurate measurement.

The formula is: L x W x H = Volume

Example: 25 x 12 x 8 = 2,400 cubic feet

Round Bins
Measure the diameter (D) and height of the bin.

The formula is D x D x H x 0.785 = Volume

Example: 24 x 24 x 18 x 0.785 = 8,138.88 cubic feet

Triangular Pile
Measure the length, width and height of the pile.

The formula is L x W x H x 0.5 = Volume

Example: 25 x 25 x 7 x 0.5 = 2,187.50 cubic feet

Conical Pile
Measure the total height and diameter of the pile.

The formula is D x D x H x 0.262 = Volume

Example: 20 x 20 x 8 x 0.262 = 838.40 cubic feet

Calculating Bushels
One cubic foot holds approximately 0.8 bu. of grain, any grain. Simply multiply the volume of grain in cubic feet by 0.8

For rectangular bin in the example above, 2,400 cubic feet x 0.8 = 1,869 bu.

In the round bin, 8,139 cubic feet x 0.8 = 6,337 bu.

In the triangular pile, 2,187 cubic feet x 0.8 = 1,702 bu.

In the conical pile, 838 cubic feet x 0.8 = 652 bu.

These formulas will not be accurate to a single bushel. But they will give you a good estimate of the number of bushels stored in a shed, bin or pile without having to count each truckload.