# Volume correction factor calculator (Table 54B)

> A free ASTM D1250-80 Table 54B calculator: litres at the observed temperature and density at 15 °C to the volume correction factor and litres at 15 °C.

Canonical: https://dipdensity.watsinfo.com/tools/volume-correction-factor-calculator/
Last updated: 2026-11-02

**Short answer:** Type the litres, the density at 15 °C and the temperature. Table 54B gives the volume correction factor, and litres times the factor is litres at 15 °C. 12,000 litres of petrol of 745 kg/m³ at 32 °C is 11,751 litres at 15 °C.

The calculator runs in the browser at https://dipdensity.watsinfo.com/tools/volume-correction-factor-calculator/.

## The formula

Table 54B is built from one formula. For a product of density ρ at 15 °C, at a temperature *t*:

```
α   = K0 / ρ² + K1 / ρ          (thermal expansion coefficient)
Δt  = t − 15
VCF = exp(−α · Δt · (1 + 0.8 · α · Δt))
```

K0 and K1 depend on the band ρ falls in, and the band is chosen by **density, not by the product's name**:

| Density at 15 °C | Band | K0 | K1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| below 770.5 | Gasolines | 346.4228 | 0.4388 |
| 770.5 to 787.5 | Transition | α = −0.00336312 + 2680.3206 / ρ² | |
| 787.5 to 838.5 | Jet fuels | 594.5418 | 0 |
| 838.5 and above | Fuel oils | 186.9696 | 0.48618 |

Indian diesel runs from 810 to 845 kg/m³, so a heavy load can fall in the fuel oils band. That is correct, and it is why the band follows the density.

## Questions

### Why do I need the density at 15 °C and not the hydrometer reading?

Table 54B is entered by density at 15 °C. Get it first from your hydrometer reading with Table 53B, or with the density at 15 °C calculator.

### Does diesel expand as much as petrol?

No. Lighter products expand more. Cooling from 30 °C to 15 °C, petrol of 745 kg/m³ shrinks by 1.83%; diesel of 820 kg/m³ by 1.33%, and diesel of 840 kg/m³ by 1.27%.

## Sources

- [ASTM D1250, Petroleum Measurement Tables (current edition)](https://www.astm.org/d1250-19.html)