Shop IBC Totes by Size

Reviewed by Ryan Penick, Operator, Wholesale Industry LLC · Updated October 2026

IBC Tote Dimensions, Weight and Capacity Chart

This chart compares the two common caged IBC tote sizes. Figures are approximate; dimensions and weights vary slightly by manufacturer and model, and exact unit details are confirmed with your quote.

Water weighs roughly 8.34 lb per gallon. Liquids heavier than water (many fertilizers, syrups and brines) make a full tote heavier still, so check the product's specific gravity before you plan a lift, a shelf or a truck.

Gallons to Liters Conversion

One US gallon is about 3.785 liters. To convert any volume, multiply gallons by 3.785, or divide liters by 3.785 for gallons.

How to Choose Between 275 and 330 Gallon

Because both sizes share the same 40 × 48 inch footprint, the decision usually comes down to height, weight and how many gallons you need per square foot.

Once you have a size, pick condition and grade on shop by condition and shop by grade.

Truck and Trailer Fit Planning

These are planning figures, not load plans. Actual counts depend on tote model, pallet type, trailer and stacking.

• Full truckload: about 60 empty caged totes is a typical full load. Empty totes are light enough that space, not weight, usually limits the count.
• Pickup truck: a full-size pickup bed often fits one empty 275 gallon tote; measure bed width between wheel wells and tailgate height first. The taller 330 is harder to secure in a pickup.
• Utility trailer: a trailer with a deck about 48 inches wide or more can carry one empty tote per 40 inches of length, more if stacked and strapped properly.
• Never haul a full tote in a light vehicle. A full 275 approaches 2,430 lb and a full 330 about 2,900 lb, beyond the payload of many pickups and small trailers.

For multi-tote and truckload orders, see bulk orders. Pickup yards are listed on locations.

Common Size Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying by gallons alone. A 330 holds more, but its extra height can block a window, miss an eave or fail to clear a garage door.
• Forgetting gravity flow. A tote sitting on the ground has little pressure at the valve. Raising it on a solid stand improves flow to a hose, but adds height and load on the stand.
• Underestimating full weight. Decks, mezzanines and lightweight shelving are rarely built for a tote that weighs well over a ton when full.
• Mixing sizes in a linked system. Linked totes level out by height, so a 275 and a 330 side by side will not fill evenly. Match sizes when you connect totes together.

Stacking and Floor Loading

Caged totes are stackable when empty and often when filled, but only within the stacking rating on the unit's label. Ratings differ between manufacturers and models, and some are rated for stacking only when empty.

• Read the label plate on each tote; do not assume one tote's rating applies to another.
• Stack only on level, solid ground, with undamaged cages and pallets.
• Line up the top tote's pallet with the cage frame below.
• Remember floor load: a full 330 concentrates about 2,900 lb on a 40 × 48 inch footprint, roughly 218 lb per square foot. Two stacked full totes double that.

Rigid IBC Tote Sizes

Rigid totes are rotationally molded from plastic as one piece, with no steel cage. They are heavier-walled than a caged bottle, easier to wash down on the outside and often chosen where a steel cage would rust or snag. We sell used rigid totes in these sizes:

Rigid models differ from caged totes in dimensions, empty weight, valve position and stacking rating. Ask for model details with your quote rather than relying on the caged figures above.

Measuring Your Space Before You Order

A quick measuring pass prevents the most common size mistakes:

1. Floor space: allow the 40 × 48 inch footprint plus room around the valve side to reach the handle and fit a bucket or hose.
2. Height: measure to the lowest overhead obstacle. Add a few inches above the tote for the top cap and a fill hose, and more if you plan to raise the tote on blocks to improve gravity flow.
3. Doors and gates: the narrowest side of a tote is about 40 inches. Measure every door, gate and aisle on the route to the final spot.
4. Base: a full tote needs a level, solid base such as concrete, compacted gravel or a properly built stand. Soft ground lets a tote lean as it settles.
5. Handling: confirm you have a forklift or pallet jack that can reach the spot, or fill the tote in place.

Fittings Are the Same Across Sizes

275 and 330 gallon caged totes commonly share the same 2 inch valve and 6 inch top cap, so most adapters work on both. Threads still vary by manufacturer; measure before you order. Details are in the IBC fitting guide.

Get Pricing by Size

Size is the first line of every quote. Send us the size (275 or 330 gallon), condition (Used or Reconditioned), grade (food or non-food history), quantity, intended use and delivery ZIP or preferred pickup yard. We reply with a lot description, current lot photos on request, and freight or pickup options. Use the request a quote form or call 855-620-3426.

Frequently Asked Questions