06 Oct 2026

INDUSTRIAL DRUM TYPES & SIZES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE

Industrial drums are used across manufacturing, warehousing, chemical processing, food production, and countless other industries. But while we often refer to them simply as 'drums' or 'barrels', there are several distinct designs - and those differences matter when it comes to storing, moving, and lifting them.

The most common industrial drum types including steel drums, open-top plastic drums, L-ring drums, screw-top drums, and fibre drums. Capacities vary considerably, although drums around 200-210 litres are particularly common in industrial environments.

If you're choosing a drum container or the equipment to handle one, capacity is only part of the picture. Material, dimensions, rim design, and loaded weight can all determine which handling solution is suitable.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARD SIZES OF INDUSTRIAL DRUMS?

There isn't on universal drum size.

Steel and plastic drums are manufactured in numerous capacities, from relatively small containers through to drums holding 200 litres or more. In the UK, 210-litre drums are a particularly common format, while 200L, 205L, 208L, 216L, and 220L descriptions may also be encountered.

You may also see larger drums described as 55-gallon drums. Be careful when comparing gallon and litre specifications, however, because UK imperial gallons and US gallons are different units.

As a quick reference:

There are general examples rather than fixed specifications. Always check the actual dimensions and manufacturer's information for the drum you're handling.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL DRUM?

STEEL DRUMS

The steel drum is probably the most recognisable industrial drum.

Large versions commonly hold around 200-210 litres and are available as both open-head and tight-head (closed) drums.

Open-head drums have a removeable lid, providing wide access to contents. Tight-head drums have a permanently enclosed top with smaller openings (or bungs) for filling and emptying liquids.

Steel drums can also feature rolling hoops around the body and a defined upper rim or chime. These aren't merely cosmetic details; the rim can provide the gripping point used by certain types of drum handling equipment.

OPEN-TOP PLASTIC DRUMS

Open-top plastic drums are commonly manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE_ and have a large removable lid.

Opening almost the entire top of the container makes them particularly useful for powders, granules, pastes, ingredients, and other materials that would be difficult to transfer through a small opening.

Plastic drums are available in numerous capacities, including smaller 30- and 60-litre formats through to 120-, 200- and 220-litre models.

Their construction also means you shouldn't assume equipment intended for a similarly sized steel drum will automatically be compatible.

L-RING & TIGHT HEAD PLASTIC DRUMS

An L-ring drum is a type of plastic drum featuring a distinctive ring around the upper body.

Many are tight-head containers, meaning the top isn't completely removable. Instead, smaller openings allow liquids to be introduced and dispensed.

These drums are commonly used for chemicals and other liquid products. Their shape, however, differs from a conventional steel drum.

The ring profile, diameter, and construction should therefore be checked when selecting lifting or gripping equipment rather than relying on capacity alone.

SCREW-TOP PLASTIC DRUMS

Screw-top drums have a large lid that screws directly onto the drum body.

The wide opening provides convenient access to the contents, making these drums useful for ingredients, powders, granulated products, and other solids.

Their upper profile can differ considerably from steel and L-ring drums, with some also tapered.

This illustrates and important rule of drum handling:

Know how much a drum holds doesn't necessarily tell you how it can be safely lifted

FIBRE DRUMS

Fibre drums are constructed primarily from layers of fibreboard, often with additional metal or plastic components around the lid and base.

They're frequently used for powders, dry ingredients, granules, and other solid products, and can provide a relatively lightweight packaging solution.

Their different construction requires particular attention when handling. For example, the upper edge may not offer the same gripping characteristics as the pronounced chime of a conventional steel drum.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE VISUAL GUIDE TO INDUSTRIAL DRUMS

Not sure you'll remember the differences between an L-ring, open-head, or tight-head drum?

Download our free Visual Guide to Industrial Drums for a quick, at-a-glance reference to the common drum types and sizes covered in this article.

[Download the FREE Visual Guide to Industrial Drums →]

HOW MUCH DOES A FULL INDUSTRIAL DRUM WEIGH?

A drum's capacity and weight are two completely  different measurements.

A 210-litre drum doesn't necessarily weigh 200kg when full. Its gross weight depends on the empty container, the amount of material inside, and the density of those contents

The basic calculation is:

Gross drum weight  =  empty drum weight + weight of contents

This means two identical 210-litre drums could have significantly different loaded weights.

That's particularly important when choosing lifting equipment. The equipment's rated capacity needs to accommodate the loaded weight of the drum, not simply its volume or empty weight.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT DRUM HANDLING EQUIPMENT?

Start with the drum and the task you need to perform.

Before choosing drum handling equipment, establish:

1. MATERIAL: is the drum steel or plastic?
2. CAPACITY: how much does it hold?
3. DIMENSIONS: what are its diameter and overall height?
4. TOP & RIM DESIGN: is it open-head, tight-head, L-ring, or screw-top?
5. MAXIMUM LOADED WEIGHT: how heavy will it be?
6. HANDLING TASK: do you need to lift, move, position, rotate, tip, or empty it?
7. WORKING ENVIRONMENT: are there additional hygiene, hazardous-area or site requirement?

Once these are established, you can narrow down the appropriate equipment,

Depending on the application, that might including drum lifting attachments, forklift drum handling equipment, hydraulic drum trucks, or drum trolleys & dollies.

The key is compatibility. Never assume a lifter or grab will handle a particular drum solely because its nominal capacity appears correct.

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY WHAT TYPE OF DRUM I HAVE?

After decades of working with drums and containers, we can tell you that identifying a drum is usually much easier than people think. You don't necessarily need to know the manufacturer, model number or exact specification.

There are five things to look for first: what the drum is made from, its diameter, its height, the design of the rim or lid, and its maximum loaded weight.

A couple of photographs can tell us a great deal too. Ideally, we like to see one showing the complete drum and another close-up of the top, particularly the rim, lid or closure. Small differences here can make a big difference when it comes to selecting suitable handling equipment.

The other question we always ask is: what do you actually need to do with the drum?

There's a big difference between moving a drum a few metres around a workshop and lifting it with a crane, handling it with a forklift or rotating it to dispense its contents. Over the years, we've found that starting with the job rather than the equipment is usually the best way to arrive at the right solution.

At LES - Lifting Equipment Store, we supply steel and plastic drums, as well as equipment for lifting, moving, positioning, and rotating them.

If you're still not sure what you're dealing with, send our team a photograph along with the drums dimensions and loaded weight. We've dealt with a lot of different drums over the years, and we'll help you work out what you have and, more importantly, the right way to handle it.

INDUSTRIAL DRUM FAQS

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON INDUSTRIAL DRUM SIZE?

Drums around 200–210 litres are among the most common large industrial formats. However, drums are manufactured in many smaller and larger capacities, so always check the individual specification.

IS A 55-GALLON DRUM THE SAME AS A 210-LITRE DRUM?

The terms are often encountered around similar large industrial drum formats, but they shouldn't automatically be treated as identical measurements. A US gallon and an Imperial gallon have different volumes, and actual drum capacities also vary by manufacturer.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OPEN-HEAD AND TIGHT-HEAD DRUM?

An open-head drum has a removable lid, giving wide access to its contents. A tight-head or closed-head drum has a permanently enclosed top, normally with smaller openings or bungs for filling and dispensing.

CAN THE SAME DRUM LIFTER HANDLE STEEL AND PLASTIC DRUMS?

Not necessarily. Compatibility depends on the lifter and the drum's construction, dimensions, rim or ring profile and loaded weight. Some equipment is specifically designed for particular drum types, while other products can accommodate both steel and plastic drums.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED BEFORE BUYING DRUM HANDLING EQUIPMENT?

Identify the drum material, capacity, dimensions, rim or lid design, maximum loaded weight and required handling operation. Check these details against the handling equipment manufacturer's specifications before use.