How Much Does an Empty 55-Gallon Drum Weigh?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 06, 2023

The weights of empty 55-gallon drums vary depending on material and dimensions. Metal empty 55-gallon drums weigh approximately 40 pounds, whereas plastic 55-gallon drums weigh half as much.

There is no uniform weight to a 55-gallon drum; weight depends on the dimensions and materials of the drum. A 55-gallon plastic drum weighs approximately 20 pounds. For example, Granite Environmental’s 55-gallon closed-head drums weigh 22.2 pounds each. Closed steel drums built by the Lexington Container Company that are each 23 inches in diameter weigh 34 to 38 pounds. The same company’s unlined 55-gallon drums with a 24-inch diameter weigh 44 pounds each.