5 gallon bucket dimensions
A standard 5-gallon pail is about 11.8–11.9 in across the top and 14.2–14.7 in tall, tapering toward the base so pails nest. These are the manufacturers' own figures — Amcor (Berry Global) and IPL Schoeller (Leaktite).
Need the gallons at a given depth? Measure the top and bottom diameters and the height and use the tapered tank (frustum) calculator.
| Maker / product | Diameter (top) | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Amcor (formerly Berry Global) 5 Gallon Round Retail Pail — TA5G75RTW | 11.8 in | 14.35 in |
| Amcor 5 Gallon Round Extended Pail — TC5G90DMPB | 11.85 in | 14.68 in |
| Amcor 5 Gallon Round Pail — TA5G75B | 11.8 in | 14.15 in |
| Amcor 5 Gallon Round Pail — TA5G100W | 11.8 in | 14.3 in |
| Amcor 5 Gallon Round Pail (Dream Mold) — TA5G90DMB | 11.8 in | 14.5 in |
| IPL Schoeller (Leaktite) Pail 5 Gal 90 mil — 5GL90 | not published | 14.437 in (external max) |
What the figures cover — and what they don't
Pail makers publish the top diameter (at or near the rim) and the overall height, measured outside. Wall thickness is given in mils: a 90-mil pail has 0.090 in walls, so the inside is only about 0.2 in narrower than the outside. None of these manufacturers publishes the bottom diameter or a brim-full capacity, so this page does not quote one; the honest way to get it is to measure your pail.
The “5 gallons” is the working fill. The pail holds somewhat more to the very rim, which leaves room for the lid's sealing ring and stops it slopping when carried.
Weight of a full pail
| Water | 41.7 lb |
| Diesel | 35.2 lb |
| Gasoline | 31.5 lb |
| Empty 70–90 mil pail (IPL Schoeller) | 1.6–2.0 lb |
Never store gasoline in a food or general-purpose pail; use a container listed for fuel.
What to measure
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a 5 gallon bucket?
About 11.8–11.9 in across the top and 14.2–14.7 in tall. Amcor lists its standard 5-gallon retail pail at 11.8 in diameter and 14.35 in high; IPL Schoeller (Leaktite) gives 14.437 in as the external height of its 90-mil pail.
How much does a 5 gallon bucket of water weigh?
Five US gallons of water weigh about 41.7 lb (8.345 lb per gallon), plus about 1.6–2 lb for the pail itself — call it 43–44 lb.
Does a 5 gallon bucket hold exactly 5 gallons?
It holds a little more than 5 gallons to the brim; the rating is the working fill, below the rim and the lid seal. Neither Amcor nor IPL Schoeller publishes a brim-full figure, so measure your own: both diameters and the height into the frustum calculator.
Why is the bottom smaller than the top?
The sides taper so empty pails nest inside each other for shipping and storage. That taper also makes each inch near the bottom hold less than an inch near the top, so marking a pail in gallons is not a matter of dividing the height by five.
How many cubic feet is a 5 gallon bucket?
5 US gallons is 1,155 cubic inches, or 0.668 cubic feet — useful for soil, gravel or concrete mix.
Sources and standards
- 5 Gallon Round Retail Pail (TA5G75RTW) and related 5-gallon round pailsAmcor (formerly Berry Global) — manufacturerhttps://packagingsolutions.amcor.com/en/product/product-item/5-gallon-round-retail-pail-13391366“Diameter 11.8 Inches / Height 14.35 Inches / Capacity / Volume 5 Gallons - US”. Extended pail TC5G90DMPB: 11.85 × 14.68 in (product 13391388).
- Pail 5 Gal 90 Mil (5GL90) and 70 Mil (5GL70)IPL Schoeller (owner of Leaktite) — manufacturerhttps://www.iplschoeller.com/us/products/pail-5-gal-90-mil“External max height (H) 14.437 Inch”; net weight 2.04 lb (90 mil), 1.64 lb (70 mil).
- Methodology — liquid densities used on this sitetankvolumecalc.comhttps://tankvolumecalc.com/methodology/
- Handbook 44, Appendix C — General Tables of Units of MeasurementNational Institute of Standards and Technologyhttps://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c
Every linked source above was retrieved and checked on 2026-11-01.