How Much Does an Empty 5 Gallon Bucket and Lid Weigh?

Whether you’re planning how much of an item you’ll be able to store in your bucket or how much you’ll be able to comfortably haul, it’s important to understand how heavy your 5 gallon bucket may be once you load it up with product. And while it doesn’t require any calculus, 5 gallon bucket dimensions and weight vary based on the shape of the bucket, the type of plastic it's made from, the type of lid you use (if you’re using one at all), and the contents of your bucket.

In this blog, we’re exploring the average weight of empty buckets, how much weight buckets can actually support, and how heavy you can expect your bucket to be when it’s filled with common items. Let’s dive in.

How Much Does an Empty 5 Gallon Bucket and Lid Weigh?

On average, an empty 5 gallon bucket with a lid weighs about three pounds. This may vary based on a number of different factors. For example, some 5 gallon buckets have thicker plastic walls than others. This can impact weight. Additionally, different styles of lids may be slightly heavier than others. For example, a two-piece gamma lid may weigh slightly more than a basic non-gasket lid.

Without its lid, a 5 gallon bucket weighs between one and two pounds on average.

How Much Weight Can You Put in a 5 Gallon Bucket?

Generally speaking, 5 gallon buckets can support about 125 pounds of weight when being carried by the handle.

However, the full answer to this question is a bit more complex. When it comes to buckets, their weight limit is a product of the thickness of the plastic used to make the bucket and how sturdy the handle is. For example, a lighter-weight 5 gallon bucket (one that falls on the lighter end of the weight spectrum when empty) may hold a bit less than a heavier 5 gallon bucket. Additionally, a sturdier handle may be able to support slightly more weight than a weaker handle.

The main thing to keep in mind is this: if you intend to move your 5 gallon bucket around by the handle, it’s best to keep the weight limit at 125 pounds.

Wondering how much a 5 gallon bucket weighs when filled with various items? We’ve compiled a list of a few common questions we hear to help you plan out just how much your bucket will weigh.

How Much Does a 5 Gallon Bucket of Water Weigh?

A customary gallon of water weighs, on average, about 8.34 pounds. Doing the math, that means that 5 gallons of water weighs 41.7 pounds. This is, however, an approximation. The weight may vary based on the type of water (saltwater versus tap water) and the temperature of the water.

How Much Does a 5 Gallon Bucket Weigh Full of Dirt?

If you’re doing yard work, you might be wondering how much dirt you can haul in a 5 gallon bucket. A gallon of dirt weighs approximately 11 pounds. That means that 5 gallons of dirt weighs about 55 pounds. However, the weight of dirt varies quite a bit depending upon factors like how wet the dirt is, how dense it is, the composition of the dirt, and if there are rocks or other debris mixed in.

How Much Does a 5 Gallon Bucket Filled with Sand Weigh?

Sand weighs approximately 13.4 pounds per gallon. However, this is assuming the sand is dry. Wet sand may weigh as much as 16 pounds per gallon. With some quick math, we can find that sand may weigh between 67 and 80 pounds, depending on if it’s wet or dry. Debris may impact the weight of sand, too

How Much Does a Full 5 Gallon Bucket Paint Bucket Weigh?

Paint weighs between six and 12 pounds per gallon. That means that, on average, you can expect 5 gallons of paint to weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. This is a pretty huge range, and it is because the weight of paint varies based on the brand and what type of paint it is—acrylic, latex, enamel, or oil-based.

ePackageSupply.com: Your Source for 5 Gallon Buckets

EPackageSupply.com is a veteran-owned business headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Our hard work and determination have turned us into one of the internet’s most trusted providers of quality products.

No matter what you’re planning to store in your buckets, ePackageSupply has you covered. All of our buckets are food grade, which means they’re perfect for all your needs: from industrial food suppliers to crop farmers, home planters, and DIY-ers. And, with a variety of lid offerings, you can customize your bucket to fit your exact needs. Explore all of our bucket and lid offerings on our website, and reach out to us today if you have any questions.

*ePackage exclusively sells official Gamma Lid® products.