You can expect an average 55-gallon drum weight to be about 48 pounds (22 kg) for a steel drum, and about 25 pounds (11 kg) for a plastic drum. The filling liquid or solid and type of 55-gallon drum will also impact its overall weight.
Common liquids to fill a 55-gallon drum with their weights include:
- Weight of a 55-gallon drum of water: 484 lbs (220 kg)
- Weight of a 55-gallon drum of oil: 444 lbs (201 kg)
To achieve this calculation, water weighs 8.34 lbs. per gallon. 55 gal x 8.34 lbs/gal = 459 lbs with the weight of the plastic drum = 484 lbs.
To achieve this calculation, oil weighs 7.2 lbs. per gallon. 55 gal x 7.2 lbs/gal = 396 lbs with the weight of the steel drum = 444 lbs.
6 Example 55-Gallon Drum Weights
The following chart features example empty 55-gallon drum weights of specific models ranging from the light to heavy. Additional details can be found on the manufacturer’s websites. Here’s the 55-gallon drum container weight chart:
| 55-Gallon Drum Model | Average Weight |
| Fiber Drum | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Red Plastic Drum Open/Closed Top | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| Nestable Plastic Drum | 24 lbs (10.8 kg) |
| Plastic Drum Open Top | 25 lbs (11 kg) |
| Lined Steel Drum Open Top | 45 lbs (20 kg) |
| Stainless Steel Drum Open Top | 50 lbs (23 kg) |
Source: Uline
Why Do 55 Gallon Drums Weigh so Much?
The main reason 55-gallon drums are so heavy is that they’re built from solid materials built to hold hundreds of pounds of materials. This is necessary in order to keep a 55-gallon drum protected from wear and tear when in use.
The steel or plastic frame on many helps to maintain a drum’s structure and durability over many years of use. Some 55-gallon drums can hold about 800 lbs of liquids and 600 lbs of solids.
To Conclude
55-gallon drums are quite heavy when it comes to filling with solids and liquids. In some cases, they can weigh up to 3 to 4 times the weight of an average car if you have a few together. It takes a moderate size truck to haul them, depending on weight and what’s stored inside.
It’s important to know the correct weight when looking to transport your 55-gallon drum. If you’re unsure and want specific weights, you can always check the manufacture’s website (for an empty container weight), go to a local cat scale to get a more accurate weight.