Two questions come up every time a farm adds storage: how much will it hold, and what will it cost? Grain bin prices are usually compared per bushel of capacity, and that number moves a lot with diameter, height, flat or hopper bottom, and everything that goes around the steel — concrete, aeration, unloading, erection and freight.
This guide covers both sides. You’ll find a capacity chart of common grain bin sizes from 14 to 48 ft, the formula to work out bushels for any bin, 2026 cost-per-bushel estimates for flat-bottom and hopper-bottom bins, and a checklist for comparing quotes.
FarmPages is a directory, not a bin dealer. When you know what you need, compare grain bin and storage suppliers and get quotes directly.
Quick answer: As rough 2026 planning estimates, grain bin prices run about $4–$8 CAD per bushel installed for mid-to-large flat-bottom bins and about $5.50–$10 for hopper-bottom bins, varying by region, dealer and spec. Capacity is π × r² × grain depth × 0.8036 bushels, so a 24 ft bin with a 21.3 ft eave holds roughly 7,760 bushels level or 8,400 peaked.
1 Grain Bin Sizes at a Glance
A bin’s capacity comes from two numbers: diameter and eave height. Diameter sets the floor area; eave height is the sidewall height, built from stacked steel rings. The roof adds a peak above the eave, and a hopper bin adds a cone underneath.
Diameter
Common farm bins run from about 14 ft to 48 ft, with larger commercial sizes beyond. Capacity rises with the square of the radius, so a 36 ft bin holds more than twice what a 24 ft bin holds at the same height.
Eave height and rings
Each ring adds sidewall height. Ring height varies by manufacturer, commonly around 32 in, with some lines near 44 in — compare eave height, not ring count.
Roof and floor
Roof pitch decides how much peaked grain fits above the eave. Flat bottoms sit on concrete; hopper bottoms add a cone, often on a skid.
2 Grain Bin Capacity Chart
The chart shows grain bin dimensions and approximate capacity for common diameters. Eave heights assume 32 in rings for illustration; every diameter is sold in several heights, so use the bushels-per-foot column to adjust. Peaked figures assume grain heaped at about 25°.
| Diameter | Example eave height (32 in rings) | Bushels per ft of depth | Approx. level fill to eave | Approx. with peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 ft | 16.0 ft (6 rings) | 124 | 1,980 bu | 2,110 bu |
| 18 ft | 18.7 ft (7 rings) | 205 | 3,820 bu | 4,100 bu |
| 19 ft | 21.3 ft (8 rings) | 228 | 4,860 bu | 5,200 bu |
| 21 ft | 21.3 ft (8 rings) | 278 | 5,940 bu | 6,390 bu |
| 24 ft | 21.3 ft (8 rings) | 364 | 7,760 bu | 8,430 bu |
| 27 ft | 24.0 ft (9 rings) | 460 | 11,000 bu | 12,000 bu |
| 30 ft | 26.7 ft (10 rings) | 568 | 15,100 bu | 16,500 bu |
| 33 ft | 26.7 ft (10 rings) | 687 | 18,300 bu | 20,100 bu |
| 36 ft | 29.3 ft (11 rings) | 818 | 24,000 bu | 26,300 bu |
| 42 ft | 32.0 ft (12 rings) | 1,113 | 35,600 bu | 39,300 bu |
| 48 ft | 34.7 ft (13 rings) | 1,454 | 50,400 bu | 55,800 bu |
Watch for: these are approximate volume figures, not any manufacturer’s rating. Real capacity varies by manufacturer, roof pitch, peaked versus level fill, hopper cone and how much grain packs down in tall bins. Use the maker’s published capacity when comparing quotes.
3 How Many Bushels in a Grain Bin?
A bushel is about 1.2445 cubic feet, so one cubic foot holds about 0.8036 bushels. That gives a formula for any round bin filled level:
Bushels = π × r² × grain depth (ft) × 0.8036, where r is half the diameter in feet. For a peak, add π × r² × peak height ÷ 3 × 0.8036.
Worked example: a 24 ft bin with 8 rings at 32 in has an eave height of about 21.3 ft. The radius is 12 ft, so the floor area is 3.1416 × 12 × 12 = about 452 sq ft. Level to the eave: 452 × 21.3 × 0.8036 ≈ 7,760 bushels. A peak at about 25° rises roughly 5.6 ft and adds about 680 bushels, for roughly 8,430 bushels peaked.
Bushels here are volume, and crops weigh differently. Wheat at 60 lb per bushel runs about 36.7 bushels per tonne; canola at 50 lb is about 44.1. So that 8,430 bu bin holds roughly 230 tonnes of wheat or 190 tonnes of canola.
The formula also works in reverse. To store 10,000 bushels in a 27 ft bin, divide by the chart’s 460 bushels per foot: you need about 21.7 ft of grain depth, so the 9-ring bin in the chart, with its 24 ft eave, covers it with room to spare.
4 Flat-Bottom vs Hopper-Bottom Bins
On the Prairies, most farms run a mix: hopper bins for canola, seed and grain that moves often, and big flat-bottom bins for bulk storage.
Flat-Bottom Bin
- Lowest cost per bushel, especially at 30 ft and up
- Sits on a poured concrete foundation
- Needs an unload auger and sweep to empty
- Full aeration floors suit drying and big volumes
- Permanent once poured
Hopper-Bottom Bin
- Empties by gravity, so no sweep and no bin entry
- Usually 14–27 ft, on a steel skid or legs
- Higher cost per bushel
- Can often be moved to a new yard
- Easy to clean between crops
A 45° hopper cone also adds capacity below the eave: about π × r² × r ÷ 3 × 0.8036, or roughly 1,450 bushels on a 24 ft bin. Keep that in mind when you compare hopper bottom bin prices per bushel — check whether the quote counts the cone.
5 Grain Bin Prices in 2026: Cost per Bushel Installed
The table breaks installed grain bin cost into its main parts. These are rough planning estimates in Canadian dollars as of 2026 — not quotes. They vary by region, dealer, brand and spec, and by the price of steel and concrete in a given season.
| Cost component (CAD per bushel, 2026 estimate) | Flat-bottom, about 10,000–40,000 bu | Hopper-bottom, about 2,000–8,000 bu |
|---|---|---|
| Bin steel: walls, roof, ladder, manway | $1.75–$3.00 | $2.50–$4.00 |
| Foundation or hopper | Concrete pad: $0.75–$1.50 | Hopper cone and skid or legs: $1.50–$2.75 |
| Aeration: fan, floor or ducts, controls | $0.50–$1.25 | $0.40–$1.00 |
| Unloading and bin sweep | $0.30–$0.75 | Gravity unload, usually included |
| Erection labour and crane | $0.50–$1.00 | $0.75–$1.50 |
| Freight and delivery | $0.10–$0.40 | $0.20–$0.60 |
| Typical installed total | roughly $4–$8 per bu | roughly $5.50–$10 per bu |
As an illustration, a 30,000 bu flat-bottom bin at $4–$8 per bushel works out to roughly $120,000–$240,000 installed, and a 5,000 bu hopper bin at $5.50–$10 to roughly $27,500–$50,000. Very large flat-bottom bins can come in below these ranges per bushel; small bins usually come in above them.
When you see grain bin prices advertised per bushel, check whether the figure is for the steel package alone or the installed bin. A steel-only price can look like half the installed number, and the gap is concrete, aeration, unloading, crane time and freight.
The totals usually leave out site prep, electrical service, temperature cables, augers or legs, permits and sales tax. Ask grain storage dealers to show those lines separately.
6 What Drives Grain Bin Cost
Size
Bigger bins need less steel per bushel, so cost per bushel falls as diameter grows. Bigger bins also need bigger handling.
Steel and currency
Bin prices track steel. Many bins and components cross the border, so the exchange rate and any duties show up in quotes.
Wall and roof spec
Taller bins need heavier sidewalls and stiffeners. Higher roof load ratings for snow and peaked grain cost more.
Aeration level
A full perforated floor and bigger fans cost more than ducts and a small fan — worth it if you dry in the bin.
Site and foundation
Soil conditions, pad size and distance from a ready-mix plant move concrete costs a lot in rural areas.
Timing
Many dealers offer off-season booking programs, and erection crews fill up fast before harvest.
Brands dealers commonly carry across Western Canada and the northern U.S. include:
Westeel Meridian Sukup GSI Brock
7 How to Compare Grain Bin Quotes
Two quotes for “a 10,000 bushel bin” can describe very different projects. Put every quote on the same footing:
- Capacity on the same basis: level, peaked or compacted, and whether a hopper cone is counted
- Line items for steel, foundation or hopper, aeration, unloading, erection, freight and tax
- Aeration airflow in cfm per bushel at full depth for your crop — canola resists airflow
- Roof load rating, sidewall gauge and stiffener package
- Who erects the bin, their insurance and coverage, and the start date
- Exclusions: site prep, electrical, cables, augers, permits
- Warranty on steel, fans and controls, and who honours it
- Permit and setback rules from your rural municipality or county
Get at least two or three quotes from grain bin dealers listed on FarmPages using the same spec. Once the quotes line up, compare cost per bushel and what’s included, not just the bottom line. Our Saskatchewan grain bin manufacturers guide covers questions to ask about steel, warranty and erection.
8 Grain Bins for Sale: New, Used and Site Planning
Used grain bins for sale come up as farms consolidate. Hopper bins are often moved whole on a trailer; flat-bottom bins have to be taken down, hauled and re-erected on a new foundation, which can erase much of the saving. Inspect for rust at the bottom ring, damaged or loose bolts, roof dents and worn aeration parts.
Whether you buy new or used, plan the yard for ten years, not one season. Leave room for more bins on the same handling layout, and size augers, legs and conveyors to fill and empty them in a day — browse grain handling equipment suppliers when you price the project. For dryers, aeration and the rest of the system, see the full list of grain systems suppliers.
Tip: a few larger bins are usually cheaper per bushel and faster to fill than many small ones, but you lose the ability to segregate crops and grades. Most farms do best with a mix.
Grain Bin Prices and Sizes FAQ
How many bushels are in a grain bin?
Multiply the floor area (3.1416 times the radius squared) by the grain depth in feet, then by 0.8036 to convert cubic feet to bushels. A 24 ft bin filled level to a 21.3 ft eave holds about 7,760 bushels, or roughly 8,400 with a peak. Capacity varies by manufacturer, roof pitch, fill method and any hopper cone.
How much does a grain bin cost per bushel in 2026?
Grain bin prices vary widely, but as rough 2026 planning estimates in Canadian dollars, a mid-to-large flat-bottom bin often lands around $4 to $8 per bushel installed, and a hopper-bottom bin around $5.50 to $10. Totals swing with steel prices, freight, concrete, aeration, erection and region, so treat these as a starting point and get written, line-item quotes.
Why do hopper bottom bins cost more per bushel?
A hopper bin adds a steel cone and a skid or leg structure, and hopper bins are usually smaller, so there is more steel per bushel stored. In return they self-clean by gravity, need no sweep or bin entry to empty, and can often be moved. Many Prairie farms pay the premium for canola, seed and frequently turned grain.
What size grain bin should I buy?
Match the bin to your handling and your crops. Hopper bins in roughly the 14 to 27 ft range suit segregating crops, seed and quick turnover. Larger flat-bottom bins, 30 ft and up, give the lowest cost per bushel for bulk wheat or corn. Size the auger or leg to fill and empty the bin in a reasonable day.
How tall is a grain bin ring?
Ring height depends on the manufacturer and model line. Many bins use sidewall rings of about 32 inches, while some lines use taller rings of around 44 inches. That is why two bins with the same number of rings can have different eave heights and capacities. Always compare quotes by eave height and bushels, not ring count alone.