Standard Plastic Barrel Sizes and Capacities

Plastic barrels (also called drums) come in a wide range of sizes — from small household containers to large industrial storage drums. Here’s a full guide to common plastic barrel sizes and their capacities 

 

Size (Nominal Capacity) Approximate Volume (Liters / Gallons) Typical Height × Diameter (cm) Common Uses

 

20-liter barrel 20 L / 5 gal 38 × 30 Household liquids, chemicals, detergents

30-liter barrel 30 L / 8 gal 45 × 31 Food ingredients, water storage

50-liter barrel 50 L / 13 gal 53 × 37 Oils, food-grade materials, small farms

60-liter barrel 60 L / 16 gal 60 × 40 Chemicals, lubricants

100-liter barrel 100 L / 26 gal 70 × 45 Food processing, water or fertilizer

120-liter barrel 120 L / 32 gal 75 × 47 Water, grains, detergents

150-liter barrel 150 L / 40 gal 80 × 50 Agricultural liquids, industrial fluids

200-liter barrel 200 L / 53 gal 88 × 57 Industrial liquids, oils, chemicals

220-liter barrel (most common) 220 L / 58 gal 95 × 58 Oils, chemicals, food-grade storage

250-liter barrel 250 L / 66 gal 100 × 60 Bulk storage and transport

1000-liter IBC tank (Intermediate Bulk Container) 1000 L / 264 gal 120 × 100 × 116 Bulk liquids, fuel, chemicals, water

 

 

⚙️ Barrel Types by Design

Closed-top (tight head):

 

Two small caps (bungs) for filling and pouring.

 

Ideal for liquids and chemicals.

Open-top (removable lid):

 

Full lid with a metal or plastic clamp ring.

 

Ideal for solids, powders, pastes, or cleaning/reuse.

 

 

 Materials

 

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Most common; strong, chemical-resistant, and food-safe.

 

PP (Polypropylene): More heat-resistant, used for industrial materials.

 

 

 Quick Facts

 

The 220-liter (55-gallon) barrel is the global standard size for most industries.

 

Smaller barrels (20–60 L) are used for household or lab purposes.

 

Larger units (1000 L IBCs) are used for logistics and mass transport.