Industrial & logistics · Reference

Standard Steel Drum Dimensions (2026): 55-Gallon & 200L Sizes

A standard 55-gallon (208-litre) steel drum measures about 572 mm (22.5 in) internal diameter and 851–880 mm (33.5–34.7 in) tall; ISO 15750 fixes the internal diameter at 571.5 mm. Capacity is nominal, and outer dimensions vary slightly by maker.

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A cylindrical drum is specified by two measurements: its outer diameter and its overall height.

Key facts

ISO 15750 fixes the internal diameter of a standard 200 L / 55-gallon steel drum at 571.5 ± 2 mm (22.5 in), with a 585 mm (23 in) max external diameter for four-abreast stacking in ISO containers.
A 55-gallon tight-head (closed) drum is about 23 in (584 mm) wide and 33 in (838 mm) tall; an open-head drum is wider (~24.5 in / 622 mm) and taller (~34.75 in / 883 mm).
Nominal capacity is 200 L (55 US / 44 imp gal); ISO total (brimful) capacities run 208–230 L, so a full drum is usually filled to about 200 L.
30-gallon drums run ~19.7 in (500 mm) diameter × 29 in (737 mm) tall; 16-gallon drums ~14.3 in (363 mm) × 27 in (686 mm) (BASCO).
Outer dimensions vary a little by maker and closure type, so always spec a cylindrical drum as diameter × height.

ISO 15750-2 tight-head (non-removable head) steel drum — Type A

Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Internal diameter (ØD1)	571.5 ± 2 mm	22.5 in
External diameter (ØD2)	585 mm max	23.0 in max
Total height (H1), 216.5 L drum	878 ± 5 mm	34.6 in
Total height (H1), 230 L drumTaller Type A variant	932 ± 5 mm	36.7 in
Steel wall thickness	0.6–1.6 mm	0.024–0.063 in

Source: ISO 15750-2:2002, Table 1 (Packaging — Steel drums, non-removable head) (2002)

200-litre (55-gallon) drum — inside vs outside dimensions

Measurement	Metric	Imperial
Inside diameter	572 mm	22.5 in
Inside height	851 mm	33.5 in
Outside diameter at rim	584 mm	23 in
Outside diameter at chimes (widest)	597 mm	23.5 in
Outside height	876 mm	34.5 in
Capacity (nominal / brimful)Commonly filled to ~200 L	200 L / ≈218.7 L	55 US gal / 44 imp gal

Source: Wikipedia — Drum (container)

US steel drum sizes as built — outer dimensions (55, 30, 16 gal)

Drum type	Outer diameter	Outer height	Empty weight
55 gal tight-head (closed)	584 mm / 23 in	838 mm / 33 in	≈22 kg / 48 lb
55 gal open-headDiameter measured over the closing ring	622 mm / 24.5 in	883 mm / 34.75 in	≈22 kg / 48 lb
30 gal open-headBASCO OH30-3E; inner dia 464 mm / 18.25 in	500 mm / 19.7 in	737 mm / 29 in	15 kg / 34 lb
16 gal open-head	363 mm / 14.3 in	686 mm / 27 in	8.6 kg / 19 lb

Source: BASCO (bascousa.com) — 55-gallon drum dimensions guide

Put these numbers on the product photo

A spec table only helps if the buyer reads it. Many don't — shoppers routinely try to judge a product's size straight from the images, and wrong size or fit is the most-cited reason things get returned. The fix is to mark the real dimensions on the photo itself, where the buyer is already looking.

SizeMarker snaps dimension lines to the steel drum's edges and exports at Amazon or Alibaba size, so the measurement is accurate and legible — not a guess typed over the picture. That answers the size question up front and cuts pre-sale questions and size-driven returns.

FAQ

What are the dimensions of a standard 55-gallon steel drum?

A standard 55-gallon (208 L) tight-head drum is about 23 in (584 mm) outer diameter and 33 in (838 mm) tall; open-head versions are ~24.5 in (622 mm) wide and ~34.75 in (883 mm) tall. ISO 15750 sets the internal diameter at 571.5 mm (22.5 in).

Is a 55-gallon drum the same as a 200-litre drum?

Yes. The US 55-gallon drum, the UK 44-gallon drum and the metric 200-litre drum are the same container. 55 US gallons is about 208 L; 200 L is the nominal fill volume, while the brimful (total) capacity is roughly 218.7 L.

How tall is a 55-gallon drum?

Inside height is about 851 mm (33.5 in); measured outside over the chimes it is roughly 876 mm (34.5 in). ISO 15750-2 tight-head Type A drums are 878 ± 5 mm (34.6 in) for 216.5 L and 932 ± 5 mm (36.7 in) for the taller 230 L version.

What is the difference between tight-head and open-head drum dimensions?

A tight-head (closed) drum has a fixed top with 2 in and 3/4 in bungs and is slightly narrower and shorter (~23 in dia × 33 in). An open-head drum has a removable lid with a bolt or lever ring, making it a bit wider (~24.5 in dia) and taller (~34.75 in).

What are the dimensions of 30-gallon and 16-gallon steel drums?

A 30-gallon steel drum is about 19.7 in (500 mm) outer diameter and 29 in (737 mm) tall (BASCO OH30-3E, inner diameter 18.25 in). A 16-gallon drum is about 14.3 in (363 mm) diameter and 27 in (686 mm) tall.

Does ISO 15750 specify one exact drum size?

No. ISO 15750 defines several drum types (A, B, C/D) and total capacities (208, 210, 212, 216.5, 230 L). Type A, the preferred international type, has a 571.5 mm internal diameter and 585 mm max external diameter.

Sources & method

Every figure on this page is traced to a named source, linked under each table. Standard sizes come from published standards and established industry references; where a size is a typical range or varies by manufacturer, we say so. Sizes vary by region, model and revision — treat these as the standard reference, and confirm the exact spec of the item you are selling.

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