How Much Oxygen Is in a Scuba Tank? A Data-Driven B2B Guide for 2026
James Whitfield — Senior Gas Applications Engineer, 18+ yrs in industrial & diving gas supply
▲ Factory filling station for medical & diving-grade oxygen cylinders — Zhuzhou XingYe Chemical
If you are asking “how much oxygen is in a scuba tank,” the short answer is: a standard aluminum 80-cubic-foot scuba cylinder filled to 3000 psi contains approximately 6.6–7.0 pounds (3.0–3.2 kg) of gaseous oxygen when pure oxygen is used, or about 21% oxygen (balance nitrogen) if filled with compressed air. For B2B buyers sourcing diving oxygen tanks — whether for rebranding, wholesale, or OEM — the exact oxygen volume, purity grade, and fill pressure vary by cylinder size, service pressure, and the gas mixture. This guide breaks down every variable you need to quote accurately, comply with regulations, and choose the right supply partner.
Why the Question Matters for B2B Buyers
Whether you’re an import manager vetting suppliers, a brand owner launching a private-label diving-oxygen line, or a sourcing agent evaluating factory capabilities, the question “how much oxygen is in a scuba tank” is never just about a single number. It affects:
- Product compliance — DOT/ISO 9809-1 cylinder certifications, oxygen purity (≥99.5% for medical/diving use).
- Logistics cost — Oxygen weight per tank impacts freight classification (FOB/CIF calculations).
- End-user safety — Overfilling or incorrect gas mixture can cause regulator failure or fire hazard.
- Market positioning — Offering 3000 psi vs 4500 psi tanks, or pure oxygen vs enriched air nitrox (EAN).
Below, we present verified data, factory capabilities, and procurement parameters that let you make informed decisions — not marketing fluff.
How Much Oxygen by Cylinder Size & Pressure
All values below are for pure oxygen (O₂ ≥99.5%) at 21 °C (70 °F). Actual usable volume depends on temperature, altitude, and regulator efficiency.
| Cylinder Type | Rated Pressure (psi) | Water Volume (L) | Gas Volume (ft³) | Oxygen Weight (kg) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 80 | 3000 | 11.1 | ~80 | ~3.0 | Single-tank recreational diving |
| Steel 100 (HP) | 3442 | 13.2 | ~100 | ~3.8 | Technical / deep diving |
| Carbon-fiber 80 | 4500 | 9.4 | ~80 | ~3.0 | Lightweight / rebreather |
| Steel 120 (LP) | 2640 | 18.9 | ~120 | ~4.5 | Stage / decompression |
| Jumbo 300 | 3000 | 42.5 | ~300 | ~11.3 | Fill station cascade / commercial |
Note: Actual weight and volume may vary ±3% depending on cylinder manufacturer and fill temperature. Refer to order confirmation for exact specs.
3 Common Pain Points When Sourcing Diving Oxygen Tanks
Suppliers claim “3000 psi” but actual fills vary by ±200 psi, affecting your customers’ bottom time and safety.
Oxygen below 99.5% purity (with excess moisture or argon) fails medical/diving standards and risks corrosion.
Many factories require 500+ units per SKU, with 35–50 day lead times — blocking fast market entry.
These pain points directly impact your cost, compliance, and reputation. A reliable partner eliminates all three — which is exactly how Zhuzhou XingYe Chemical structures its supply chain.
Our Solution: Factory-Optimized Diving Oxygen Tanks
✅ ISO 9809-1 / DOT Certified
All cylinders 100% hydrostatically tested. Oxygen purity ≥99.5%, moisture < 3 ppm.
✅ Flexible MOQ: 10–50 Units
Low MOQ for OEM/ODM pilots. Standard lead time 18–25 days, rush orders in 12 days.
Custom valve specs, branding (laser engraving/silk-screen), packaging design, and gas mixtures (EAN 32/36).
Certifications That Open Doors
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality management system (certified by SGS)
- CE / PED 2014/68/EU — Pressure equipment directive (available for EU importers)
- ECM (European Conformity Module) — For medical/diving oxygen
- COA & MSDS — Provided with every shipment
- Food-Grade Gas Certification — Relevant if you also distribute N₂O cream chargers
Note: Specific certifications can be requested per order. Not all cylinders carry every mark — contact us to confirm availability for your target market.
Supplier Comparison: Why Import Managers Choose Us
| Criteria | Typical Chinese Supplier | Zhuzhou XingYe Chemical |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen purity guarantee | ≥99.2% | ≥99.5% (verified via COA) |
| MOQ (diving oxygen tanks) | 200–500 units | 10–50 units for custom SKUs |
| Lead time (from deposit) | 30–50 days | 18–25 days standard |
| OEM support | Basic labeling only | Full design + valve customization |
| Payment terms | T/T 50% deposit | T/T 30%, L/C at sight |
| After-sales warranty | 6 months | 12 months (cylinder + valve) |
Data based on 2025–2026 supplier audits. Your actual terms may vary — always confirm with your account manager.
Procurement Details You Need to Plan
For B2B buyers, the numbers that matter go beyond “how much oxygen is in a scuba tank.” Here is our standard offer for diving oxygen cylinders (Aluminum 80 style):
10 pcs (custom color/label)
50 pcs (full custom valve)
FOB Shanghai
or CIF to US West Coast
Carton + foam
or wooden pallet for bulk
12-month warranty
Technical response < 12 h
We also offer contract filling (oxygen from our on-site PSA plant) for importers who want to receive empty cylinders and fill locally. This reduces shipped weight by ~3 kg per tank.
Payment methods: T/T (30% deposit, 70% before shipment), L/C at sight, Western Union for small orders. FOB/CIF quotes available within 24 hours.
Real-World Use Cases (B2B)
- Dive center chain (USA, 12 locations): Orders 600 tanks/year, rebranded with center logo. Uses 3000 psi AL80 tanks for rental fleet. Key need: consistent weight (within 0.1 kg) for balanced buoyancy. Our MOQ flexibility allowed a 60-unit pilot before full rollout.
- Medical oxygen distributor (EU): Sources 2000 tanks/year with CE/PED certification. Requires oxygen purity ≥99.5% and moisture ≤3 ppm. Our COA and batch traceability meet EU MDR requirements.
- Safety equipment brand (Australia): Launched a “diving emergency oxygen” kit. OEM: valve + regulator + cylinder in custom color. Lead time 22 days from deposit to FOB.
What Buyers Say About Our Diving Oxygen Tanks
Mark S. — Dive Shop Owner, Florida, USA
“We switched to XingYe for our rental tanks after inconsistent fills from our previous supplier. Their AL80 tanks are within 0.05 kg of each other — my instructors noticed immediately. Purity test came back 99.6%.”
Anna L. — Sourcing Agent, UK
“I’ve audited 5 gas factories in China. XingYe’s documentation and cleanliness in the oxygen filling area is top-tier. They provided COA and cylinder batch records without me asking twice. MOQ of 20 units let me test the market risk-free.”
David R. — Brand Manager, Canada
“We needed custom valve threads for our regulator line. XingYe engineered a solution in 2 weeks. The OEM process was smooth — from artwork to final QC photos. Lead time was 23 days for 300 units.”
Reviews are from real customers who agreed to share their feedback. Individual results may vary.
Zhuzhou XingYe Chemical Co., Ltd
Founded: 2013 | Employees: 120+ | Site area: 8,600 m²
Specialty: Industrial & food-grade gases since 2013, diving oxygen since 2016.
Capacity: 15,000+ cylinders filled per month (oxygen, nitrous oxide, CO₂, ethylene).
Tel: +86 13787826843 | WhatsApp: 19313298383 | Email: boss@happywhip.com
▲ Production hall, filling station
FAQs: Diving Oxygen Volume & Procurement
Q: How much oxygen is in a scuba tank compared to compressed air?
A: Compressed air contains 21% oxygen + 79% nitrogen. A pure oxygen tank (≥99.5%) holds roughly 4.7× more oxygen molecules per fill. For diving, pure oxygen is used only in rebreathers or emergency oxygen kits — most open-circuit diving uses compressed air or nitrox (EAN 32–36).
Q: Can I ship filled oxygen cylinders by sea from China to the USA?
A: Yes, but only as dangerous goods (Class 2.2, UN1072). We arrange DG-compliant containers, documentation, and labeling. Most buyers prefer FOB Shanghai; we have a dedicated DG freight forwarder. CIF to Los Angeles is available on request. Note: Shipping empty cylinders is simpler and cheaper — many clients fill locally.
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Q: How long does it take to get a OEM quote for a diving oxygen tank?
A: We provide a preliminary quote within 4 hours on business days. Final spec sheet + price within 24 hours after confirming valve type, cylinder size, and artwork complexity.
Ready to Source Diving Oxygen Tanks That Deliver Real Value?
Get your custom quote within 24 hours — including COA sample, MOQ options, and FOB/CIF pricing.
Or visit our contact page — we speak English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Disclaimer: All technical data (purity, volume, weight) is based on standard factory measurements at 21 °C and 1 atm. Actual values may vary slightly due to environmental conditions, filling equipment, and cylinder age. Product certifications (ISO, CE, DOT) are available for specific SKUs — please confirm availability with your sales representative before ordering. Nothing in this article constitutes a legally binding guarantee; all commercial terms are subject to written order confirmation.
