IBC container sizes & dimensions

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?

Dimensions, footprint and weight of the common tank sizes at a glance – plus a planner that tells you how many IBCs you need for your demand.

Tank sizes · reference values (dimensions vary by maker)
SizeCategoryDimensions (L×W×H)FootprintEmptyFull (water)
200–300 LRain barrelØ ~600 × 900 mm~0,3 m²~5–10 kg~210–310 kg
600 LIBC (compact)1200 × 800 × 800 mm~0,96 m²~40 kg~640 kg
800 LIBC1200 × 1000 × 1000 mm~1,2 m²~48 kg~850 kg
1000 LIBC (standard)1200 × 1000 × 1160 mm~1,2 m²~55 kg~1055 kg
2000–3000 LHigh demandseveral 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.

FAQ on IBC sizes

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.

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.