Core dimensions (what the manufacturer actually builds)
| Type | Capacity | Footprint (L × W) | Height | Empty Weight | Full Weight (water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 gal HDPE (standard) | 1,040 L | 48" × 40" | 46" | 120 lb | ≈ 2,400 lb |
| 330 gal HDPE (standard) | 1,250 L | 48" × 40" | 53" | 135 lb | ≈ 2,880 lb |
| 275 gal HDPE (steel pallet) | 1,040 L | 48" × 40" | 46" | 148 lb | ≈ 2,430 lb |
| 275 gal caged steel | 1,040 L | 48" × 40" | 46" | 280 lb | ≈ 2,560 lb |
| 330 gal caged steel | 1,250 L | 48" × 40" | 53" | 310 lb | ≈ 3,060 lb |
| 275 gal stainless 304/316L | 1,040 L | 48" × 40" (varies) | 46–52" | 490–720 lb | ≈ 2,820 lb+ |
Dimensions given for the most common IBC builds we see in the southeast US. Exact values can vary by manufacturer by ±0.5". Always measure the opening you're trying to pass through.
Can it fit?
Doorways & openings
- Standard 36" man-door: too narrow for any pallet-mounted IBC. Plan to remove the cage or split the load.
- Standard 48" door: tight, but works. You need ~1" of clearance each side for the pallet feet.
- Roll-up dock door: no problem for anything we ship.
- Elevators (freight): typically fine on any freight elevator rated for 2,500+ lb with a 54" door.
Forklift clearance
- Standard IBC pallet slot height: 3.5" (the gap between the bottom stringers and the floor)
- Minimum forklift fork length needed to lift empty: 36"
- Minimum fork length needed to lift full (safely): 42"
- Standard forklift mast retracted height: make sure you can accommodate stacked height + 6" clearance
Truck & trailer sizing
- 53' dry van: 20 totes stacked two-high × five rows × two wide — call it 40 on a well-packed load
- 48' flatbed: 32 single-layer with straps, or 60 two-high if you're comfortable strapping tall
- 26' box truck: 18–24 two-high depending on the load height
- Pickup (long bed): 1–2 totes, carefully strapped, at your own comfort level
Stacking rules (the "please don't" list)
- Two-high stacking is the practical limit in storage. Three-high is possible with new totes, fresh cages, and no movement — but we don't do it.
- Never stack a full tote on top of another full tote in a moving vehicle. The cage is not rated for dynamic stacked load.
- Never stack different heights (275 on top of 330) without dunnage between — the pallet footprint must align.
- Always align pallet stringers when stacking — misaligned stringers can punch through a cage.
Pallet geometry
IBC totes ship on 48" × 40" pallets. That's the standard North American "GMA" size, and it means IBCs play nicely with almost any warehouse racking:
- 2 totes per lane in a standard 100"-deep rack
- 4 totes per standard 48" × 40" rack bay (two-high, two-wide)
- Drive-in racking: plan on 54" vertical between beams for 275s, 60" for 330s
Fill & valve clearances
- 6" top fill opening — needs ~6" vertical clearance above for the cap
- 2" bottom valve — extends about 3.5" from the cage (plan dock height accordingly)
- Bottom valve handle swings 90° — needs 14" of horizontal clearance to rotate fully
Frequently unmeasured things
- Cage corner bump: each corner has a 1–1.5" steel weld bump. Measure door widths to the bump, not the frame.
- Label plate: UN/DOT label adds ~0.25" on one side of the cage.
- Valve cap: A dust cap adds ~0.5" to the valve length. Usually irrelevant, occasionally the difference between fit and bump.
- Pallet overhang: On some composite pallets, the footprint is 48.5" × 40.5" with rounded corners.