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How Many Gallons in a Drum? Standard Drum Sizes Explained
How many gallons in a drum depends on its size, but a standard drum holds 55 US gallons, about 208 liters, and measures roughly 23 to 24 inches across and 34 to 35 inches tall. Smaller drums commonly hold 15, 20 or 30 gallons, and some fiber drums go up to 75 gallons.
When someone says “a drum” in the US without a size, they almost always mean the 55 gallon drum. But the smaller sizes are worth knowing about, because a drum you can’t lift when it’s full isn’t much use. Below are the common sizes, their approximate dimensions and what each is typically used for.
Standard Drum Sizes
Dimensions vary by material and manufacturer, so the figures below are approximate and taken from typical listings. Always check the product page for the exact drum you’re buying.
| Nominal size | Liters (approx.) | Typical dimensions (approx.) | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 gallons | 19 L | Usually a pail rather than a drum | Paint, small batches, samples, food storage in food grade pails |
| 15 gallons | 57 L | About 14″ dia. x 26″ tall (plastic) | Small-batch liquids, lab and specialty chemicals |
| 16 gallons | 61 L | About 14″ dia. x 27″ tall (steel) | Lubricants, smaller chemical quantities |
| 20 gallons | 76 L | About 16″ dia. x 27″ tall (plastic) | Mid-size liquids, easier handling than 30 gallon |
| 30 gallons | 114 L | About 18.5 to 19″ dia. x 29″ tall | Oils, chemicals, overflow from 55 gallon jobs |
| 55 gallons | 208 L | About 23 to 24″ dia. x 34 to 35″ tall | The industry standard for liquids and solids |
| 75 gallons (fiber) | 284 L | About 23.5″ dia. x 41″ tall | Bulk dry goods, light solids |
A few examples from our range: the 15 gallon white tight head plastic drum, the 20 gallon natural tight head plastic drum, the 30 gallon tight head steel drum and the 75 gallon fiber drum with a steel cover.
The 55 Gallon Drum
The 55 gallon drum is the default size across most industries. It’s large enough to move a meaningful volume, small enough to handle with a drum dolly, and it’s the size most drum pumps, spill pallets and handling equipment are built around. Outside the US, the same drum is usually described by its metric volume, as a 200 or 208 liter drum.
Steel and plastic 55 gallon drums are close in size but not identical. The 55 gallon black open head steel drum lists about 24″ in diameter by 35″ tall, while the 55 gallon white tight head plastic drum lists about 23.25″ by 34.75″. If drums need to fit a rack, a spill pallet or a cabinet, measure against the specific listing.
Is a drum filled to exactly 55 gallons?
Not usually. 55 gallons is the nominal capacity. Drums are generally filled a little short to leave headspace for expansion and to avoid spills when the bung or lid is opened, and the brimful capacity can be slightly higher than the nominal figure. If exact volume matters, check the capacity details on the product page.
Drum vs. Barrel: Why the Numbers Differ
“Drum” and “barrel” get used interchangeably, which causes confusion when you’re comparing volumes.
- Oil barrel: 42 US gallons. This is a unit of measure for crude oil and petroleum, not a container you buy.
- Whiskey barrel: about 53 gallons for a standard American oak barrel. See our guide to used whiskey barrels for more on barrel sizes.
- “55 gallon barrel”: in everyday use, this just means a 55 gallon drum, steel or plastic.
How Much Does a Full Drum Weigh?
Multiply the gallons by the weight of one gallon of the contents, then add the empty drum. Water weighs about 8.34 lb per gallon.
| Drum size | Water only (approx.) | Plus empty drum |
|---|---|---|
| 15 gallons | 125 lb | About 130 to 140 lb |
| 30 gallons | 250 lb | About 260 to 285 lb |
| 55 gallons | 460 lb | About 480 to 510 lb |
Empty plastic drums are lighter than steel. Listings on our site show around 7 lb for a 15 gallon plastic drum and about 41 lb for a 55 gallon steel drum, for example. Liquids denser than water, like many chemicals and syrups, push the total higher. Plan to move full drums with a drum truck, dolly or forklift.
How Many Drums Equal an IBC Tote?
A 275 gallon IBC tote holds the same as five 55 gallon drums, and a 330 gallon tote holds the same as six. If you’re regularly buying or storing liquid in multiples of five or six drums, a tote can save floor space and handling. Our guide to IBC tote dimensions has the measurements.
How to Work Out the Capacity of a Drum You Already Have
If a drum has lost its label or markings, you can estimate its volume with a tape measure. Measure the inside diameter and the inside height in inches, then use the formula for a cylinder:
- Divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius.
- Multiply the radius by itself, then by 3.1416.
- Multiply that by the height to get cubic inches.
- Divide by 231, the number of cubic inches in a US gallon.
For example, a drum with an inside diameter of 22.5″ and an inside height of 33″ works out to about 13,120 cubic inches, or roughly 57 gallons, which is a typical brimful figure for a 55 gallon drum. Tapered drums and drums with rolling hoops won’t be perfect cylinders, so treat the result as an estimate. To convert to liters, multiply the gallons by 3.785.
Choosing the Right Drum Size
- How fast will you use it? Products that degrade once opened are better in smaller drums you can finish quickly.
- Who’s moving it? A full 15 or 20 gallon drum is manageable for one or two people with a hand truck. A full 55 gallon drum needs proper equipment.
- Where will it live? Measure shelves, cabinets and spill containment before ordering.
- What’s the material? Pick the drum type first (steel, plastic or fiber; open head or tight head), then the size. Our guide to open head vs tight head drums covers that choice.
Ready to pick a size? Browse steel drums and plastic drums in every common size, or see our plastic pails for 5 gallons and under.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons are in a standard drum?
A standard drum holds 55 US gallons, which is about 208 liters. It usually measures about 23 to 24 inches in diameter and 34 to 35 inches tall.
How many liters is a 55 gallon drum?
About 208 liters. Outside the US the same size is often called a 200 liter drum.
Is a barrel the same as a drum?
In everyday use, a 55 gallon barrel and a 55 gallon drum are the same thing. An oil barrel, however, is a 42 gallon unit of measure, and a standard whiskey barrel holds about 53 gallons.
How much does a 55 gallon drum of water weigh?
About 460 lb for the water alone. Add the empty drum, roughly 20 to 50 lb depending on material, for a total of about 480 to 510 lb.
What drum sizes are smaller than 55 gallons?
Common smaller sizes include 15, 16, 20 and 30 gallon drums. Below that, 5 gallon and smaller containers are usually pails rather than drums.
