AllMyCalculators

Rainwater Harvesting Calculator

Estimates a roof’s yearly rainwater yield and a sensible tank size.

The plan area, not the sloping area.

mm

From your national weather service.

About 0.8–0.9 for tile or metal, 0.5 for a green roof.

%
L/day
Yield per year
— L

Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.

Average per day — L
Suggested tank — L
Share of your use covered — %
Reading this —

The formula

yield (L) = area (m²) × rainfall (mm) × runoff × filter efficiency

One millimetre of rain on one square metre is exactly one litre.

What to watch out for

The yearly average hides dry spells, so seasonal climates need a bigger tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water can I collect from my roof?

An 80 m² roof with 800 mm of rain, at 0.8 runoff and 90% filter efficiency, yields 46,080 litres a year.