5 Gallon Bucket Weight & Capacity: How Much Does It Hold?

5 Gallon Bucket Weight & Capacity: How Much Does It Hold?

Quick Answer: A 5 gallon bucket holds 640 fluid ounces (18.9 liters) and weighs approximately 42 lbs when filled with water. When filled with sand, it weighs about 70 lbs. An empty HDPE bucket weighs 2-3 lbs.

5 Gallon Bucket Capacity Overview

Understanding exactly how much a 5 gallon bucket holds helps with everything from recipe scaling to project planning. Here's the complete breakdown.

How Many Ounces in a 5 Gallon Bucket?

| Measurement | Amount |

|-------------|--------|

| Fluid ounces | 640 fl oz |

| Cups | 80 cups |

| Pints | 40 pints |

| Quarts | 20 quarts |

| Liters | 18.93 liters |

| Milliliters | 18,927 ml |

Quick Conversions

  • 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces
  • 5 gallons = 640 fluid ounces
  • 5 gallons = 20 quarts
  • 5 gallons = 40 pints
  • 5 gallons = 80 cups

Note: These are US measurements. Imperial gallons are larger (5 imperial gallons = 768 fl oz).

How Much Does a 5 Gallon Bucket Weigh?

Empty Bucket Weight

| Bucket Type | Weight |

|-------------|--------|

| Standard HDPE bucket | 2.0-2.5 lbs |

| Heavy-duty HDPE | 2.5-3.0 lbs |

| Food-grade certified | 2.0-2.5 lbs |

| Metal bucket | 4-6 lbs |

Filled Bucket Weights by Material

| Material | Weight (5 gallons) | Density |

|----------|-------------------|---------|

| Water | 41.7 lbs | 8.34 lbs/gal |

| Milk | 43.0 lbs | 8.6 lbs/gal |

| Gasoline | 31.0 lbs | 6.2 lbs/gal |

| Motor oil | 37.5 lbs | 7.5 lbs/gal |

| Honey | 60.0 lbs | 12.0 lbs/gal |

| Paint (latex) | 55.0 lbs | 11.0 lbs/gal |

| Concrete (wet) | 100+ lbs | 20+ lbs/gal |

How Much Does a 5 Gallon Bucket of Sand Weigh?

Answer: Approximately 67-70 lbs for dry sand.

Sand Weight Variables

| Sand Type | Weight per 5 Gallons |

|-----------|---------------------|

| Dry play sand | 67-70 lbs |

| Wet sand | 75-85 lbs |

| Construction sand (dry) | 70-75 lbs |

| Beach sand (dry) | 65-70 lbs |

| Silica sand | 70-75 lbs |

Why Sand Weight Varies

  • Moisture content - Wet sand weighs 10-20% more
  • Grain size - Fine sand packs denser than coarse
  • Compaction - Shaken/settled sand weighs more per volume
  • Mineral content - Some sands contain heavier minerals

Practical Applications

  • Sandbags - One 5 gallon bucket fills 4-5 standard sandbags
  • Concrete mixing - Plan for 70 lbs of sand per bucket
  • Playground refill - Calculate delivery needs
  • Exercise weights - Know your lifting capacity

How Many Golf Balls Fit in a 5 Gallon Bucket?

Answer: Approximately 340-400 golf balls, depending on packing method.

Golf Ball Calculation

Golf ball diameter: 1.68 inches (42.67mm)

Golf ball volume: 2.48 cubic inches

5 gallon bucket volume: 1,155 cubic inches

Theoretical maximum: 1,155 ÷ 2.48 = 466 balls

Actual capacity: 340-400 balls (accounting for air gaps)

Packing Efficiency

| Packing Method | Balls | Efficiency |

|----------------|-------|------------|

| Random dump | 340-360 | ~74% |

| Careful stacking | 380-400 | ~82% |

| Theoretical max | 466 | 100% |

Random packing of spheres achieves about 64% efficiency due to air gaps between balls. Careful hexagonal packing improves this to around 74%.

Fun Fact

This question is a popular interview brain teaser used by consulting firms and tech companies to test estimation skills!

How Many Liters in a 5 Gallon Bucket?

Answer: 18.93 liters (US gallons)

Gallon to Liter Conversions

| Gallons (US) | Liters |

|--------------|--------|

| 1 gallon | 3.785 L |

| 5 gallons | 18.93 L |

| 5 gallons | 18,927 mL |

US vs Imperial Gallons

| Measurement | US Gallon | Imperial Gallon |

|-------------|-----------|-----------------|

| 1 gallon in liters | 3.785 L | 4.546 L |

| 5 gallons in liters | 18.93 L | 22.73 L |

Important: US 5 gallon buckets hold 18.93 liters. If you're in the UK or using imperial measurements, adjust accordingly.

Weight of Common Materials in 5 Gallon Buckets

Food & Kitchen

| Material | Weight (5 gal) | Notes |

|----------|---------------|-------|

| Rice (dry) | 33-35 lbs | Long grain |

| Flour | 20-22 lbs | All-purpose |

| Sugar (granulated) | 35-38 lbs | White sugar |

| Beans (dry) | 33-35 lbs | Pinto, black |

| Oats | 15-18 lbs | Rolled oats |

| Wheat berries | 33-35 lbs | Hard red wheat |

| Honey | 60 lbs | Pure honey |

| Cooking oil | 38-40 lbs | Vegetable oil |

| Peanut butter | 50+ lbs | Commercial |

| Ice cream | 35-40 lbs | Commercial mix |

Construction & Industrial

| Material | Weight (5 gal) | Notes |

|----------|---------------|-------|

| Sand (dry) | 67-70 lbs | Play/construction |

| Gravel | 75-85 lbs | Pea gravel |

| Concrete (wet) | 100+ lbs | Mixed |

| Portland cement | 47 lbs | Dry powder |

| Topsoil | 55-60 lbs | Dry, loose |

| Mulch | 20-25 lbs | Shredded |

| Perlite | 5-8 lbs | Dry |

| Vermiculite | 8-12 lbs | Dry |

| Latex paint | 55-60 lbs | Interior/exterior |

| Drywall compound | 60-65 lbs | Premixed |

Automotive & Fluids

| Material | Weight (5 gal) | Notes |

|----------|---------------|-------|

| Water | 41.7 lbs | Pure |

| Gasoline | 31 lbs | Regular |

| Diesel fuel | 35-36 lbs | #2 diesel |

| Motor oil | 37-38 lbs | 10W-30 |

| Transmission fluid | 38-40 lbs | ATF |

| Antifreeze | 45-47 lbs | 50/50 mix |

| Hydraulic fluid | 38-40 lbs | Standard |

How Wide Is a 5 Gallon Bucket?

| Dimension | Measurement |

|-----------|-------------|

| Top diameter | 11.75-12 inches |

| Bottom diameter | 10.25-10.5 inches |

| Height | 14.5 inches |

| Circumference (top) | 37-38 inches |

The tapered design (wider at top) allows buckets to stack/nest for storage and shipping.

Bucket Capacity Calculator

How to Calculate What Fits

For liquids:

Capacity = 5 gallons × material density (lbs/gallon)

For solids:

Weight = Volume × bulk density × packing efficiency

Example - Rice:

  • Bulk density: ~45 lbs/cubic foot
  • 5 gallon bucket = 0.67 cubic feet
  • 45 × 0.67 = 30.15 lbs (theoretical)
  • Actual: 33-35 lbs (rice packs efficiently)

Quick Estimation Rules

  • Liquids: Multiply gallons × 8 for approximate pounds (water-like density)
  • Grains/beans: About 33-35 lbs per 5 gallon bucket
  • Sand/gravel: About 70-85 lbs per 5 gallon bucket
  • Fluffy materials (oats, flour): 15-25 lbs per 5 gallon bucket

Practical Weight Considerations

Safe Lifting

  • Recommended lift limit: 35-50 lbs
  • 5 gal water bucket: 42 lbs (at limit for many)
  • 5 gal sand bucket: 70 lbs (requires two people or equipment)
  • 5 gal gravel bucket: 80+ lbs (definitely two-person lift)

Transport Planning

| Bucket Contents | Truck/Trailer Load (20 buckets) |

|-----------------|--------------------------------|

| Water | 840 lbs |

| Rice/beans | 700 lbs |

| Sand | 1,400 lbs |

| Gravel | 1,700 lbs |

| Concrete | 2,000+ lbs |

Storage Considerations

  • Floor load capacity for stacked buckets
  • Shelf weight limits
  • Pallet weight (40 buckets standard)
  • Vehicle payload when transporting

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ounces are in a 5 gallon bucket?

A 5 gallon bucket holds 640 fluid ounces. This equals 80 cups, 40 pints, or 20 quarts. For weight, it depends on the material—water weighs about 42 lbs, while sand weighs about 70 lbs.

How much does a 5 gallon bucket of water weigh?

A 5 gallon bucket of water weighs approximately 41.7 lbs (plus 2-3 lbs for the bucket itself). Water weighs 8.34 lbs per gallon at room temperature.

How much does a 5 gallon bucket of sand weigh?

Dry sand in a 5 gallon bucket weighs approximately 67-70 lbs. Wet sand weighs 75-85 lbs due to water content. This makes sand buckets challenging to lift—use proper technique or get help.

How many golf balls fit in a 5 gallon bucket?

Approximately 340-400 golf balls fit in a 5 gallon bucket, depending on packing method. Random dumping yields about 340-360 balls, while careful stacking can reach 380-400 balls.

How many liters are in a 5 gallon bucket?

A US 5 gallon bucket holds 18.93 liters (18,927 milliliters). Note: Imperial gallons are larger—5 imperial gallons = 22.73 liters.

How much rice fits in a 5 gallon bucket?

A 5 gallon bucket holds 33-35 lbs of dry rice, which equals approximately 25-27 lbs of edible rice (accounting for the 20% water absorption during cooking).

How heavy is a 5 gallon bucket of paint?

Latex paint weighs approximately 55-60 lbs per 5 gallon bucket. Oil-based paints are slightly lighter at 50-55 lbs. Always check the bucket label for exact weight.

What's the volume of a 5 gallon bucket in cubic feet?

A 5 gallon bucket has a volume of approximately 0.67 cubic feet (1,155 cubic inches). This helps when calculating bulk material needs.

Get the Right Buckets for Your Project

Whether you're storing 35 lbs of rice for emergency preparedness or 70 lbs of sand for a construction project, quality buckets make the difference. Our UN-certified HDPE buckets handle heavy loads safely.

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