Which IBC size fits your demand? Here you find the dimensions, footprint and weight of the common tank sizes – plus a planner that works out how many IBCs you need.
Sizes & dimensions
Which IBC size do I need – and how much space & weight?
All dimensions, footprints and weights for IBC containers and IBC tanks at a glance – from empty weight to a full tank. Plus a planner that tells you how many IBCs you need for your demand.
| Size | Category | Dimensions (L×W×H) | Footprint | Empty weight | Full (water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200–300 L 53–79 gal | Rain barrel | Ø ~600 × 900 mm | ~0.3 m² | ~5–10 kg | ~210–310 kg |
| 600 L 159 gal | IBC (compact) | 1200 × 800 × 800 mm | ~0.96 m² | ~40 kg | ~640 kg |
| 800 L 211 gal | IBC | 1200 × 1000 × 1000 mm | ~1.2 m² | ~48 kg | ~850 kg |
| 1000 L 264 gal | IBC (standard) | 1200 × 1000 × 1160 mm | ~1.2 m² | ~55 kg | ~1055 kg |
| 2000–3000 L 528–793 gal | High demand | several IBCs or special tank | — | — | — |
1000-litre IBC – dimensions & weight
- Dimensions
- 1200 × 1000 × 1160 mm
- Footprint
- ~1.2 m²
- Empty
- ~55 kg
- Full (water)
- ~1055 kg
- Outlet
- S60×6
The standard IBC. It sits on a pallet (wood, plastic or steel) and takes one pallet slot. When full it weighs over 1 tonne – plan the ground and stacking accordingly.
800-litre IBC
- Dimensions
- ~1200 × 1000 × 1000 mm
- Footprint
- ~1.2 m²
- Empty
- ~48 kg
- Full
- ~850 kg
Same footprint as the 1000 L, just lower – handy where height is limited.
600-litre IBC (compact)
- Dimensions
- ~1200 × 800 × 800 mm
- Footprint
- ~0.96 m²
- Empty
- ~40 kg
- Full
- ~640 kg
The smallest common caged IBC – for tight spots and smaller volumes, still stackable and with an outlet tap.
200–500 litres: rain barrel rather than IBC
- Form
- Tonne / Fass, Ø ~600 mm
- For
- Garten, kleine Mengen
In this range you mostly find rain barrels or drums, not caged IBCs. If you want a steel cage, stackability and an outlet tap, the smallest IBC is around 600 litres.
2000, 3000 litres & more
- Solution
- mehrere IBC koppeln
- 2000 L
- 2 × 1000-L-IBC
- 3000 L
- 3 × 1000-L-IBC
A single IBC this size is not standard. Usual approach: place several 1000-L IBCs side by side and couple them at the outlet (with venting), or use a special/underground tank. Load warning: 3000 L ≈ 3 tonnes.
How much water do you need?
Reference values based on the 1000-litre standard IBC (~1.2 m², ~1055 kg full). Smaller sizes (600/800 L) on request.
US sizes: how the 275- and 330-gallon tote compare
In the United States the same format is sold as an IBC tote, and it is measured in US gallons. The two common sizes there are the 275-gallon tote (about 1040 litres) and the 330-gallon tote (about 1250 litres).
The European standard listed above is the 1000-litre IBC, which works out at 264 US gallons — so it is slightly smaller than a 275-gallon tote, on a footprint of roughly 1200 × 1000 mm (47 × 39 in). A filled 1000-litre IBC weighs about 1055 kg (2326 lb), which is the figure that matters for floors, pallets and forklifts.
Guide figures for orientation. Exact dimensions and capacities vary by manufacturer — the suppliers in our comparison state their own specifications.
FAQ on IBC sizes
How tall is an IBC container?
A standard 1000-litre IBC is about 1160 mm tall – just over 1.16 metres, pallet included. The 800-litre version is around 1000 mm, the compact 600-litre about 800 mm. The exact height depends on the pallet: wood, plastic and steel differ by a few centimetres.
How much does an empty IBC container weigh?
An empty 1000-litre IBC weighs about 55 kg. The 800-litre version is around 48 kg, the 600-litre about 40 kg. That empty weight is split across the plastic bottle, the steel cage and the pallet – a steel pallet adds a few kilograms over wood.
How big is a 1000-litre IBC container?
A standard 1000-litre IBC measures about 1200 × 1000 × 1160 mm (L×W×H) and sits on a pallet – roughly 1.2 m² of footprint, i.e. one pallet slot. The height varies slightly with the pallet (wood, plastic, steel).
How much does a full IBC container weigh?
Empty, a 1000-litre IBC weighs about 55 kg. Filled with 1000 litres of water it adds roughly 1000 kg – together over 1 tonne (~1055 kg). For other liquids, density matters: fill weight is volume × density.
What IBC sizes are there?
Common sizes are 600, 800 and 1000 litres, with 1000 litres being the standard. Smaller volumes are covered by rain barrels (200–500 L), larger ones by coupling several IBCs – two 1000 L make 2000 litres, three make 3000.
What are the dimensions of an IBC container?
The standard 1000-litre IBC measures 1200 × 1000 × 1160 mm (length × width × height) including the pallet. The 800-litre version is about 1000 mm tall on the same footprint, the compact 600-litre one about 1200 × 800 × 800 mm. The 1200 × 1000 mm base is near-identical across manufacturers – it matches one pallet slot.
How big is an IBC tank?
IBC tank and IBC container mean the same thing. The common standard holds 1000 litres and measures about 1200 × 1000 × 1160 mm. There are also 600 and 800 litre versions; anything larger is usually solved by coupling several tanks, because a single 2000- or 3000-litre IBC is not a standard product.
How much do 1000 litres of water weigh?
Exactly 1000 kilograms, i.e. one tonne – water has a density of about 1 kg per litre. Together with the empty IBC at roughly 55 kg, that puts a good 1.05 tonnes on just over one square metre. For other liquids their density counts: fill weight is volume × density – less for oil, considerably more for many concentrates.
Does an IBC fit on a Euro pallet?
The 1000-litre IBC has a base of about 1200 × 1000 mm. A Euro pallet is 1200 × 800 mm, so slightly smaller – which is why IBCs come on wood, plastic or steel pallets in the right size. For transport on Euro pallets, mind the pallet variant.