Estimate a starting aquarium water volume from your turtle's straight shell length.
| Water volume | – |
Use this calculator to get a rule-of-thumb water volume for an aquatic turtle tank from straight carapace length. Enter the shell length; the calculator applies the common guideline of about 10 US gallons of water per inch of shell.
The calculation converts shell length to inches, multiplies by 10 gallons per inch, then converts to litres. Shell length can be entered in centimetres (cm) or inches (in); centimetres are converted to inches before applying the rule. The result is shown in litres (L).
This is a starting aquarium size, not a husbandry manual. Many species need a dry dock, strong filtration, heating, and more water than this rule provides. Measure straight carapace length (not over the curve of the shell). Semi-aquatic and fully aquatic species have different needs; use the result as a minimum starting point.
Shell length: Straight length of the top shell, from the front edge to the rear edge. Enter the value in cm or in.
Water volume: Recommended water volume in litres from the 10 gallons-per-inch guideline.
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