The amount of water a bath can hold varies considerably depending on the dimensions of the bath. Standard bathtubs in the UK generally hold between 150-200 litres of water, but larger and deeper tubs can hold significantly more. Factors like the length, width, and depth all contribute to the total volume capacity.
Typical Bath Dimensions
Most standard rectangular baths in the UK measure around 1700mm x 700mm (length x width). The average depth tends to be around 400mm. With these typical dimensions, a standard UK bath holds around 150-180 litres when filled. Here is a quick overview of common bath capacities based on standard sizes:
| Bath Size | Dimensions | Capacity |
| Standard | 1700 x 700mm | 150-180 litres |
| Large | 1900 x 900mm | 200-250 litres |
| Extra Large | 2100 x 1000mm | 300+ litres |
As you can see, an extra large 2100 x 1000mm bath can hold over 300 litres when filled, while a standard 1700 x 700mm size holds around 150-180 litres. The depth impacts capacity too, but a typical 400-500mm depth is assumed for these estimates.
Bath Volume Calculator
To calculate the precise volume of a specific bathtub, you need to input the full dimensions into a bath volume calculator. Here are the steps:
1. Measure the internal length, width and depth of the bath in millimetres.
2. Multiply the length x width x depth to calculate the cubic capacity in millilitres.
3. Divide the figure by 1000 to convert from millilitres to litres.
For example, if a bath is 1800mm long, 800mm wide and 450mm deep, the calculation would be:
1800 x 800 x 450 = 648,000ml
648,000 / 1000 = 648 litres
So this larger 1800 x 800mm bath with a 450mm depth holds around 648 litres when filled to the brim.
You can use this bath size calculator to work out the volume of any size tub in litres. Just input the dimensions in millimetres and it will automatically convert to litres capacity.
Standard Bath Capacities
To give you a better idea, here is an overview of typical capacities of some common standard sized bathtubs:
1700mm Bath
A 1700mm x 700mm bath with an average 400mm depth holds around:
1700 x 700 x 400 = 476,000ml
476,000 / 1000 = 476 litres
So a standard 1700mm long tub holds approximately 476 litres when filled.
1500mm Bath
A slightly smaller 1500mm x 700mm bath with a 400mm depth holds around:
1500 x 700 x 400 = 420,000ml
420,000 / 1000 = 420 litres
Making the common 1500mm size tub around 420 litres capacity.
1400mm Bath
A small 1400mm bath with 700mm width and 400mm depth provides a volume of:
1400 x 700 x 400 = 392,000ml
392,000 / 1000 = 392 litres
So a petite 1400mm bath can hold roughly 392 litres when full.
1200mm Bath
An even smaller 1200mm x 700mm bath with a typical 400mm depth equates to:
1200 x 700 x 400 = 336,000ml
336,000 / 1000 = 336 litres
Meaning a compact 1200mm tub has approximately 336 litres capacity when filled.
1900mm Bath
At the larger end, a 1900mm x 900mm bath with 450mm depth provides a capacity of:
1900 x 900 x 450 = 765,000ml
765,000 / 1000 = 765 litres
So a generous 1900mm long tub can hold around 765 litres of water.
Factors that Impact Bath Volume
The main factors that influence bath volume and capacity are:
Length
– The length of a tub has the greatest effect on litres capacity. An extra long bath can hold a considerably higher volume.
Width
– Wider tubs also provide more space and therefore have a higher potential volume.
Depth
– Deeper baths that have a greater water depth when filled hold more litres than shallow models.
Shape
– Unusual or irregular shaped baths are harder to calculate capacity. Rectangular tubs are easier to measure volume.
Overflow
– Baths with an overflow will limit the maximum volume to the overflow height.
Taps & Plumbing
– Bathtub plumbing hardware also takes up some interior space.
Non-Standard Sizes
– Any bath that is custom-sized or non-standard dimensions requires individual calculation.
So in summary, larger tubs with greater length, width and depth have the highest litre capacity, while smaller and shallower baths have a lower volume. The shape also plays a role, with rectangular being the most predictable.
Comparison of Bath Sizes
To demonstrate the range of volumes, here is a direct size and litre comparison of different bathtub dimensions:
| Bath Size | Bath Dimensions | Total Capacity |
| Small | 1200mm x 700mm x 400mm | 336 litres |
| Standard | 1700mm x 700mm x 400mm | 476 litres |
| Large | 1800mm x 800mm x 450mm | 648 litres |
| Extra Large | 2100mm x 1000mm x 500mm | 1050 litres |
This helps illustrate the range of volumes between smaller 1200mm baths through to extra large 2100mm tubs. The depth also creates significant capacity differences.
Standard Bath Fill Levels
When running a bath, you can fill it to different levels depending on your needs:
Half full
Filling to halfway provides a shallow volume for children or quick washes. A 1700mm x 700mm half fill is around:
476 litres / 2 = 238 litres
So half of the full volume.
Three quarter full
Three quarter full provides a nice immersive volume for relaxing:
476 litres x 0.75 = 357 litres
This gives you plenty of water to recline in.
Full to overflow
Filling the bath up to the overflow gives you the maximum volume:
476 litres
This allows total immersion in deep water for bathing.
The water consumption can be adjusted by controlling the flow valves and seeing the level rise.
Average Bath Water Usage
The average bath uses roughly 80 litres of water according to UK studies. This is based on typical fill levels, not maximum volumes. Here is how the 80 litre bath water average breaks down:
– Half of UK households take a bath at least once per day = around 20 million baths per day
– With an average volume around 80 litres used per bath
– That equates to 1.6 billion litres of water used for bathing daily
– Making baths a major component of domestic water consumption
So while baths can hold between 150-300+ litres, the average water used per bath is 80 litres when taking into account partial fill levels.
Water Saving Tips
If wishing to conserve water usage in the bath, here are some tips:
– Take shorter showers instead which use less water
– Install an eco-friendly low volume bath which still provides enough depth for soaking
– Fit a water efficient tap with good flow control
– Set the water flow to low and don’t overfill the bath
– Bathe young children together to save water
– Reuse bath water for purposes like watering plants
– Use power showers and turn off taps when lathering to save water
– Take fewer baths per week and share bathwater if needed
Following these tips will help minimise the amount of water used while still enjoying a relaxing soak.
Deepest Bathtub Records
For fun, here are some record holders for the deepest and largest bathtubs in history:
Deepest
– The record for deepest free-standing tub was set in 2011 by Francesco De Battista of Italy, measuring 4.41m (14ft 6in) from overflow to base. That’s deeper than two adults standing on each other’s shoulders!
– The deepest sunken tub was created in 2018 by Thermasol Ltd UK, measuring an incredible 4.92m (16ft 2in) from floor to rim. That’s as deep as an adult giraffe standing on another’s shoulders!
Largest
– The record for largest free-standing tub belongs to Saffire Resort in Tasmania, measuring 4.23m x 2.74m (13ft 10in x 9ft) providing a volume of 13,644 litres – greater than many hot tubs and enough for several adults to float together.
– The largest sunken tub record is claimed by Kohler Co. in the USA with a mammoth 5.18m x 2.27m (17ft x 7ft 6in) tub holding 19,532 litres – almost double an average pool!
While fun novelty records, these giant baths are not practical or water efficient for home use. Sticking to a standard 150-300 litre tub is more sensible.
Conclusion
To summarise key points:
– Standard UK baths range from 150-300+ litres capacity
– 1500-1700mm baths hold 150-180 litres when filled
– Larger 1800-2100mm baths hold up to 300 litres+
– Depth, length and width impact overall volume
– Use a bath calculator to work out exact litres
– Average bath fill uses around 80 litres of water
– Follow water saving tips to reduce consumption
Knowing how many litres your bath holds can prevent overfilling. But in most cases, the standard 150-200 litre volume of common UK tubs provides more than enough capacity for a nice soak. Avoid going for novelty record deepest baths which are excessive!
