Racira Calculator

Rain Barrel Sizing Calculator

Rain Barrel Sizing Calculator

Roof & Rainfall
sq ft
inches

Asphalt 0.9, metal 0.95, tile 0.85.

Water Captured in This Storm
561 gallons
2,122 liters · 11 × 55-gal barrels to store it
Barrels Needed11
Garden Irrigated900 sq ft
Total Weight4,676 lbs
DetailValue
Roof Area (footprint)1,000 sq ft
Rainfall1.0 inches
Runoff Efficiency90%
Water Captured561 gal (2,122 L)
55-Gallon Barrels Needed11 barrels
Total Weight4,676 lbs
Garden Irrigated (1 in)900 sq ft

Collection Comparison (gallons)

Summary

Roof Area1,000 sq ft
Rainfall1.0 in
Water Captured561 gal
Barrels Needed11
Garden (1 in)900 sq ft
Total Weight4,676 lbs

What the Numbers Mean

With the defaults (1,000 sq ft roof, 1 inch of rain, 90% efficiency), a single storm yields 561 gallons — enough to fill eleven 55-gallon barrels, irrigate 900 sq ft of garden with an inch of water, or weigh over 4,600 lbs.

The 0.623 Factor

One inch of rain on one square foot is 1/12 of a cubic foot = 0.623 gallons. Multiply by roof footprint (pitch doesn't matter — a flat and steep roof of the same footprint catch the same vertical rainfall) and your runoff efficiency.

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