There are four main fuel tanks in the wings, a tail plane tank, a center wing tank, and reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections. The maximum fuel capacity is 216,846 L (57,284 gal.).

A Boeing 747 stores its fuel primarily in integral fuel tanks located inside its wings and center section. This is a common design philosophy for most large commercial jet aircraft, as it efficiently uses the wing’s internal volume without adding external drag.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the fuel tank locations on a 747:

1. Main Wing Tanks (Left and Right)

• Location: Inside the structural box of each wing, between the front and rear spars.
• Capacity: The vast majority of the fuel is stored here. The wings are naturally strong, sealed structures, and placing the fuel here helps balance the aircraft’s weight along the wingspan.

2. Center Wing Tank (CWT)

• Location: Inside the structural box of the center wing section, which is essentially the part of the wing that passes through the fuselage.
• Function: This tank holds a significant amount of fuel and is crucial for the aircraft’s balance. Fuel management systems often transfer fuel from the CWT to the main tanks during flight to maintain optimal center of gravity.

3. Reserve Tanks (on some models, like the 747-400)

• Location: In the outer sections of the wings, outboard of the main wing tanks.
• Function: These are used on very long-range flights to carry extra fuel. Fuel from these tanks is transferred inward to the main tanks before being used by the engines.

4. Horizontal Stabilizer Tank (on some models, like the 747-400 with the “Extended Range” option)

• Location: Inside the horizontal