Home / Sizing Guide
The IBC tote sizing guide.
Every number you'll need before you order an IBC tote, in one place. We update this page whenever a manufacturer changes a spec or a customer corrects us. Bookmark it.
Pick the right tote — we'll help
Same form, every page. Tell us what you've got or what you need; we send a real quote (not a sales drip).
The three numbers that matter
Capacity
How much it holds
Nominal. Add 5–8% headspace for thermal expansion. Don't fill to the cap.
Footprint
How much floor it takes
40" × 48" is standard for caged composite. Stainless varies. Plan your dock and rack widths.
Stack height
How tall it stands
46" for 275-gal, 53" for 330-gal. Double-stack adds about an inch for the cage interlock.
The big spec table
| Capacity | Type | Footprint | Height | Tare | Full (water) | Outlet | Top fill | UN rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 gal | Caged composite, HDPE | 40" × 48" | 46" | 140 lb | 2,430 lb | 2" S60×6 ball | 6" screw cap | UN31HA1/Y |
| 330 gal | Caged composite, HDPE | 40" × 48" | 53" | 165 lb | 2,920 lb | 2" S60×6 ball | 6" screw cap | UN31HA1/Y |
| 120 gal | Caged composite, HDPE (mini-IBC) | 40" × 48" | 30" | 85 lb | 1,085 lb | 2" S60×6 ball | 6" screw cap | UN31HA1/Y |
| 350 gal | Stainless 316L | 40" × 48" | 54" | 165 lb | 3,090 lb | 2" tri-clamp ball | 18" hinged manway | UN31A/Y |
| 450 gal | Stainless 316L | 42" × 50" | 58" | 205 lb | 3,955 lb | 2" tri-clamp ball | 18" hinged manway | UN31A/Y |
| 550 gal | Stainless 316L | 45" × 53" | 62" | 260 lb | 4,825 lb | 3" tri-clamp ball | 22" hinged manway | UN31A/Y |
Capacity ↔ weight, by liquid
Quick-reference for full weights at 8.34 lb/gal water density. Adjust by your liquid's specific gravity.
| Liquid | SG | 275 gal full | 330 gal full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.00 | 2,430 lb | 2,920 lb |
| Beer / wort | 1.04 | 2,525 lb | 3,035 lb |
| Maple syrup (66°Brix) | 1.33 | 3,190 lb | 3,830 lb |
| Glycerin | 1.26 | 3,025 lb | 3,635 lb |
| Honey | 1.42 | 3,400 lb | 4,090 lb |
| Diesel fuel | 0.84 | 2,055 lb | 2,470 lb |
| Ethanol | 0.79 | 1,945 lb | 2,335 lb |
| Sodium hydroxide 50% | 1.52 | 3,635 lb | 4,375 lb |
Always confirm forklift and rack capacity for your specific liquid. We will not stack stainless 550-gal full of NaOH 50%.
Standard valve and fitting reference
| Connection | Spec | Use |
|---|---|---|
| S60×6 | Standard 2" buttress thread on outlet | The default IBC outlet thread. |
| S60×6 → 3/4" GHT | Adapter | Garden hose for site water or rain barrel. |
| S60×6 → 2" NPT | Adapter | Plumbed install with male/female NPT. |
| 2" Camlock C | Cam-and-groove | Quick-connect to hoses and pumps. |
| 2" Tri-clamp | Sanitary | Stainless / pharma installations. |
| 6" coarse thread (top) | Standard fill cap | EPDM gasket; vented option for breathing. |
Stacking & racking
- Single stack (filled): safe to 2 high for 275/330 gal caged composite, on a level floor.
- Double stack (filled, 2 high): requires forklift caution; use the cage interlock channel.
- Empty stack: 4 high on a forklift, 5 high in storage if blocked at the corners.
- Racking: standard pallet racking handles a single 330 gal at 2,920 lb. For doubles, calc your rack rated load.
- Outdoor storage: UV degrades HDPE over years — keep totes covered or under shade if you can.
Pallet types — what's underneath the cage
Often overlooked but matters more than you'd think. The pallet decides forklift compatibility, food-grade rating, and longevity in wet environments.
| Pallet type | Weight | Forklift access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (standard) | ~22 lb | 4-way entry | Most industrial uses |
| Wood (heat-treated, ISPM-15) | ~24 lb | 4-way entry | Export shipments |
| Plastic (poly) | ~28 lb | 4-way entry | Food, pharma, sanitary |
| Plastic (poly, vented) | ~30 lb | 4-way entry | Drainage applications |
| Composite (wood/plastic) | ~26 lb | 4-way entry | Heavy-duty, repeated use |
| Steel | ~50 lb | 4-way entry | Specialty / high-cycle |
Cap and outlet thread reference
Common thread / connection types you'll encounter on IBCs.
| Thread / fitting | Where you'll see it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S60×6 (2" buttress) | Standard outlet on most composite IBCs | The default IBC outlet thread. |
| 6" coarse thread (top) | Top fill cap on composite IBCs | Standard fill cap with EPDM gasket. |
| 9" hinged manway | Some new and rebottled composite | For chemistry that needs frequent inspection. |
| 18" hinged manway | Stainless 350-450 gal | Allows person-access for cleaning. |
| 22" hinged manway | Stainless 550 gal | For larger access and CIP installations. |
| 2" tri-clamp (sanitary) | Stainless and food-grade | Quick disconnect; cleanable. |
| 2" camlock C (cam-and-groove) | Quick-connect adapter | For pumps and hoses. |
| 2" NPT (American pipe thread) | Plumbing adapters | Used in line-installations. |
| 3/4" GHT (garden hose thread) | Adapter for garden hoses | Backyard / rainwater use. |
How much does a full tote weigh? — quick reference
| Liquid | SG | 275 full | 330 full | 350 stainless full |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.00 | 2,430 lb | 2,920 lb | 3,090 lb |
| Beer / wort | 1.04 | 2,525 lb | 3,035 lb | 3,210 lb |
| Maple sap (pre-boil) | 1.03 | 2,500 lb | 3,010 lb | 3,180 lb |
| Maple syrup (66°Brix) | 1.33 | 3,190 lb | 3,830 lb | 4,055 lb |
| Glycerin (USP) | 1.26 | 3,025 lb | 3,635 lb | 3,845 lb |
| Honey | 1.42 | 3,400 lb | 4,090 lb | 4,330 lb |
| Diesel fuel | 0.84 | 2,055 lb | 2,470 lb | 2,615 lb |
| Gasoline | 0.72 | 1,775 lb | 2,135 lb | 2,255 lb |
| Ethanol | 0.79 | 1,945 lb | 2,335 lb | 2,470 lb |
| Methanol | 0.79 | 1,945 lb | 2,335 lb | 2,470 lb |
| Acetone | 0.79 | 1,945 lb | 2,335 lb | 2,470 lb |
| Mineral oil | 0.86 | 2,105 lb | 2,535 lb | 2,680 lb |
| Cutting fluid (typical) | 0.94 | 2,290 lb | 2,755 lb | 2,915 lb |
| Sodium hydroxide 50% | 1.52 | 3,635 lb | 4,375 lb | 4,635 lb |
| Hydrochloric acid 30% | 1.15 | 2,775 lb | 3,340 lb | 3,540 lb |
| Sulfuric acid 50% | 1.40 | 3,355 lb | 4,035 lb | 4,275 lb |
| Bleach (12% NaOCl) | 1.18 | 2,840 lb | 3,420 lb | 3,625 lb |
| Liquid fertilizer (typical UAN) | 1.32 | 3,170 lb | 3,810 lb | 4,030 lb |
| Soybean oil | 0.92 | 2,245 lb | 2,700 lb | 2,860 lb |
| Used cooking oil | 0.90 | 2,200 lb | 2,650 lb | 2,805 lb |
Headspace and fill rules
- Always leave headspace. Most liquids expand 5-10% on freeze; warm fills expand a bit on cooling. Never fill to the cap.
- 5% minimum for most chemistry. Water-like liquids at moderate temperature.
- 10% minimum for outdoor winter storage. Anywhere a freeze is possible.
- 15% for hot fills (140°F+). Liquid contracts as it cools, but you also need expansion room for any thermal off-gas.
- 20% for chemistry that off-gasses. Bleach, peroxide, anything that releases gas at room temperature.
Articles & deeper reads
- → When to pick 275 over 330 (and vice-versa)
- → Food-grade vs industrial: how the line is actually drawn
- → Stack vs rack: storing IBCs without bending the cage
- → Winter storage of IBC totes
- → Valves and gaskets buyers guide
- → What an IBC tote actually can't hold
- → Chemical compatibility & safety guide
- → The plain-English IBC glossary