A standard 55 gallon drum measures 22.5″ in diameter and 33.5″ tall, holds 208 liters of liquid, and weighs 38–55 lbs empty in steel or about 22 lbs in HDPE plastic. The exact dimensions vary by drum type — tight-head, open-top, lined — and by manufacturer, but the footprint is standardized so four drums fit a 48″ × 48″ pallet.
This guide covers every standard 55 gallon drum dimension, the four construction types, weights filled and empty, UN/DOT ratings, and how drums fit into pallet and trailer planning.
Key takeaways
- Diameter: 22.5″ (572 mm) — the U.S. standard
- Height: 33.5″ (851 mm) for closed-head; 34.75″ for open-top
- Capacity: 55 U.S. gal / 208 L / 7.4 cubic feet
- Empty weight: 38–55 lbs steel, ~22 lbs plastic (HDPE)
- Pallet fit: 4 drums per 48 × 48 pallet — the standard "drum pallet"
Standard 55 gallon drum dimensions chart
Most U.S. industrial drums hit these specs within a quarter inch. Imported drums and specialty configurations vary; check the manufacturer's data sheet for tight tolerances.
Type | Diameter | Height | Capacity | Empty weight | Filled weight (water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steel — closed-head (tight-head) | 22.5″ (572 mm) | 33.5″ (851 mm) | 55 gal / 208 L | 38–48 lbs | ~497 lbs |
Steel — open-top (lever-lock) | 22.5″ (572 mm) | 34.75″ (883 mm) | 55 gal / 208 L | 45–55 lbs | ~504 lbs |
Plastic (HDPE) — closed-head | 23.3″ (592 mm) | 34.75″ (883 mm) | 55 gal / 208 L | 20–25 lbs | ~480 lbs |
Plastic (HDPE) — open-top | 23.3″ (592 mm) | 34.75″ (883 mm) | 55 gal / 208 L | 22–28 lbs | ~482 lbs |
Steel — fiber composite | 22.5″ | 34.5″ | 55 gal / 208 L | 30–40 lbs | ~490 lbs |
Stainless steel (304/316) | 22.5″ | 33.5″ | 55 gal / 208 L | 55–80 lbs | ~520 lbs |
The four drum types you'll encounter
1. Closed-head (tight-head) steel drums
Permanently sealed top with two bungs. Used for liquids — solvents, oils, fuels, lubricants, hazardous chemicals. The 2″ bung accommodates standard pumps; the ¾″ bung is the vent.
UN/DOT rating: typical 1A1 (steel, non-removable head)
Wall thickness: 16–22 gauge depending on rating
Best for: liquids, hazmat shipping, long-term storage
2. Open-top steel drums
Removable lid clamped on with a bolted ring. Used for solids, paste, powders, and anything that needs to be scooped out — adhesives, peanut butter, dry chemicals, contaminated soil for remediation.
UN/DOT rating: typical 1A2 (steel, removable head)
Lid: bolted ring, gasket-sealed
Best for: solids, semi-solids, samples that need frequent access
3. Plastic (HDPE) drums
Blow-molded high-density polyethylene drums. Most common in food-and-beverage, agriculture, and any application where steel contamination is a problem. Slightly larger external dimensions because the wall is ~5 mm thick HDPE vs. steel's 1 mm.
UN/DOT rating: 1H1 (closed-head) / 1H2 (open-top)
Service temp: -40°F to +140°F
Best for: food-grade applications, mild chemicals, water storage
4. Lined and specialty drums
Steel drums with epoxy, phenolic, or rust-inhibitor linings for specific cargo (food syrup, pharmaceutical actives, sensitive chemicals). Stainless steel drums for the most aggressive applications.
Filled weight by contents
A 55 gallon drum filled with water weighs ~497 lbs total (water = 8.34 lbs/gal × 55 gal + ~38 lb empty drum). Different liquids change the math:
Liquid | lbs/gallon | Filled weight (steel drum, ~38 lb empty) |
|---|---|---|
Water | 8.34 | ~497 lbs |
Used motor oil | 7.4 | ~445 lbs |
Diesel fuel | 7.05 | ~426 lbs |
Gasoline | 6.07 | ~372 lbs |
Vegetable oil | 7.55 | ~453 lbs |
Brine (saturated salt) | 10.1 | ~593 lbs |
Concentrated acid (H₂SO₄) | 15.3 | ~880 lbs |
How drums fit on pallets
Four 55 gallon drums fit perfectly on a 48″ × 48″ pallet — that's the entire reason the 48 × 48 pallet exists. Each drum sits in a corner; the tight 22.5″ diameter leaves just enough clearance to avoid touching neighbors.
Pallet size | Drums per pallet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
48 × 48 | 4 | The standard drum pallet — all four corners filled |
48 × 40 GMA | 3 | Two drums on the 48″ side, one in the 40″ row |
44 × 44 | 4 | Pharma/chemical alternative; tighter pallet |
1200 × 1000 mm (Euro) | 4 | International standard for drum shipments |
Read our standard pallet sizes guide for the full pallet footprint chart.
How many drums fit in a 53-foot trailer?
On 48 × 48 pallets (4 drums each), single-stacked: 26 pallets × 4 drums = 104 drums per trailer. Double-stacked empty: 208 drums. A 48 × 48 pallet plus a 33.5″ drum stands 39.5″, so two tiers need 79″ of the trailer’s 108″–110″ interior — a third tier would need 118.5″ and does not fit. Filled drums are not typically double-stacked because of weight — 104 × 497 lbs = 51,688 lbs already exceeds the 45,000 lb trailer cargo limit, so you're weight-capped at about 84 filled water drums per truckload for planning — 21 pallets. The count turns on the drum's own tare, not its type: a 38 lb closed-head drum grosses 2,027 lbs on a pallet and just allows 22 pallets (88 drums), but at 48 lbs it is 2,067 and only 21 fit. Open-top at ~45 lbs and stainless at 55 land at 21 too. Divide 45,000 by (4 × your filled drum + ~40 lb pallet).
UN/DOT ratings explained
UN-rated drums carry a stamped or printed code that tells customs and carriers exactly what the drum is qualified to ship. The stamp format is:
Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
1A1 | Steel drum, non-removable head (tight-head) |
1A2 | Steel drum, removable head (open-top) |
1H1 | Plastic drum, non-removable head |
1H2 | Plastic drum, removable head |
1B1 / 1B2 | Aluminum drum, closed / open |
1G | Fiber drum |
1N1 / 1N2 | Metal other than steel/aluminum |
Buying new vs reconditioned drums
The reconditioned drum market is huge — more than 40 million 55 gallon drums are reconditioned in the U.S. annually. Pricing ladder:
Reconditioned drums are pulled from food-and-beverage and non-hazardous chemical service, washed in industrial steam systems, and re-tested under UN spec. For non-critical applications (water storage, biodiesel feedstock, agricultural use), they're typically the right buy. For pricing trends and where to source, see our plastic drum pricing trends report.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 55 gallon drum?
The standard U.S. 55 gallon drum is 22.5″ in diameter and 33.5″ tall (closed-head steel). Open-top drums are about 34.75″ tall to accommodate the bolt ring. Plastic (HDPE) drums are slightly larger externally — about 23.3″ diameter and 34.75″ tall — because of thicker walls.
How much does a 55 gallon drum weigh empty?
Empty steel drums weigh 38–55 lbs depending on construction style and gauge: closed-head steel 38–48 lbs, open-top steel 45–55 lbs. Empty HDPE plastic drums weigh 20–28 lbs. Stainless steel drums weigh 55–80 lbs empty.
How much does a 55 gallon drum of water weigh?
A 55 gallon drum of water weighs about 497 lbs total (55 gal × 8.34 lbs/gal + ~38 lb empty steel drum). Plastic drums full of water are slightly lighter at ~480 lbs.
How many 55 gallon drums fit on a pallet?
Four drums fit a standard 48″ × 48″ pallet — the purpose-built "drum pallet." Three drums fit a 48 × 40 GMA pallet. Read our standard pallet sizes guide for the full footprint reference.
How many drums fit on a 53-foot trailer?
104 drums single-stacked on 48 × 48 pallets (26 pallets × 4 drums). Filled with water, plan on 84 — 21 pallets. The limit turns on the drum's tare rather than its type: only the lightest closed-head drums (38 lbs empty, 497 filled, 2,027 lbs a pallet) squeeze in a 22nd pallet for 88. At the 48 lb end of the same closed-head range it is 2,067 lbs and 21 pallets, as are open-top and stainless. Divide 45,000 by (4 × your filled drum + ~40 lb pallet). Empty drums double-stacked: 208 per trailer — a pallet plus drum stands 39.5″, so two tiers fit a 108″–110″ interior and a third would need 118.5″.
What's the difference between closed-head and open-top drums?
Closed-head (tight-head) drums have a permanently sealed top with two threaded bungs — used for liquids. Open-top drums have a removable lid clamped with a bolt ring — used for solids, pastes, and anything that needs to be scooped out. Open-top drums are about 1.25″ taller because of the ring.
Are plastic 55 gallon drums food-safe?
The HDPE itself is FDA-compliant. Whether a specific drum is food-safe depends on what was previously stored in it. For food contact, buy new or reconditioned drums certified food-grade — never use a drum that previously held chemicals.
What does UN 1A1 mean on a drum?
UN 1A1 means a steel drum with a non-removable head (tight-head) certified for hazmat shipping. The full UN stamp also lists packing group, specific gravity, test pressure, manufacture year, country, and manufacturer code.
Bottom line
The 55 gallon drum is the most standardized industrial container in the U.S. — 22.5″ diameter, 33.5″ tall, four to a 48 × 48 pallet, 104 per trailer. Within that footprint, the choice between steel and plastic, closed-head and open-top, new and reconditioned comes down to your contents, your handling pattern, and your weight tolerance.