Füllgrade

Füllgrade, often translated as fill grade or fill level, is a measure of how full a container, vessel, or system is with its intended contents. It describes the extent to which the actual content approaches the nominal capacity or target mass and is used across industries to assess packing quality, process control, and inventory accuracy.

In volumetric contexts, the fill grade is typically expressed as a percentage: (actual volume / nominal volume) × 100. In gravimetric contexts, it is calculated as (actual mass / nominal mass) × 100. Depending on the application, fill grade may be reported as a volume, mass, or percentage value. Temperature and pressure conditions, density variations, and gas compressibility can affect measurements and must be accounted for in high-precision cases.

Applications range from packaging and labeling (ensuring products meet declared net content) to industrial process control and tank gauging. In quality assurance, acceptable fill-grade tolerances are defined to prevent underfilling or overfilling and to maintain cost efficiency and regulatory compliance. In storage and transport, accurate fill grades help manage space, inventory, and safety considerations.

Common methods for determining the fill grade include direct weighing, volumetric measurement, and inline level sensing using hydrostatic, capacitive, ultrasonic, or radar-based devices. Data may be used to trigger filling adjustments, alarms, or documentation for traceability.

Related concepts include fill level, net content, and headspace. Füllgrade is context-dependent and may be specified in units of percent, liters per container, or kilograms per container, depending on the measurement objective.