Air Compressor Tank Fill Time Calculator
Estimate air-compressor receiver fill time between two gauge pressures using tank volume, delivered airflow, flow utilization, motor power and daily cycles.
Default project preview
2.27 minutes
Free air added
32.7 ft³ free air
Effective delivered flow
14.5 cfm
Energy per fill
0.211 kWh
Daily compressor runtime
27.2 min
Calculator
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Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Receiver tank volume
Enter this project assumption in US gal. The current imperial default is 80 US gal.
Starting gauge pressure
Enter this project assumption in psi. The current imperial default is 90 psi. Minimum: 0.
Ending gauge pressure
Enter this project assumption in psi. The current imperial default is 135 psi. Minimum: 0.
Delivered airflow at pressure
Enter this project assumption in cfm. The current imperial default is 17 cfm.
Effective flow utilization
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 85 %. Minimum: 1. Maximum: 100.
Motor input power
Enter this project assumption in hp. The current imperial default is 7.5 hp.
Tank fill cycles per day
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 12. Minimum: 0.
Electricity rate
Enter this project assumption in per kWh. The current imperial default is 0.18 per kWh. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Free air added
ideal-gas pressure-volume estimate. Default preview: 32.7 ft³ free air.
Effective delivered flow
85% utilization. Default preview: 14.5 cfm.
Energy per fill
5.59 kW input. Default preview: 0.211 kWh.
Daily compressor runtime
12 fill cycles. Default preview: 27.2 min.
Daily fill energy
receiver filling only. Default preview: 2.53 kWh.
Daily fill cost
excluding loaded tool demand and idle losses. Default preview: $0.46.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Free air added = tank volume × pressure increase ÷ atmospheric pressure. Fill time = free air added ÷ effective delivered airflow. Energy uses motor input power × fill time.
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FAQ
Air Compressor Tank Fill Time Calculator questions
Why use delivered airflow instead of displacement?+
Delivered airflow at the operating pressure better represents usable compressor output after internal losses. Use manufacturer performance data near the target pressure.
What does flow utilization represent?+
It provides an editable reduction for real-world flow, temperature, controls and other losses. It is not a compressor efficiency certification.
Does tank size determine whether the compressor can run a tool?+
No. Tool demand, compressor duty cycle, delivered airflow and pressure recovery determine sustained performance. The tank mainly buffers short demand changes.