What is the most common IBC volume size?
Choosing an IBC, or intermediate bulk container, is an important step in ensuring your storage and transportation logistics go smoothly. However, most business owners are often left guessing what size IBC they should invest in. In order to determine the size of the IBC you need, you’ll first need to know the volume of the contents you want to store or transport. In this article, we’ll outline the most common IBC volume sizes so you can make the best selection for your needs.
![Baritainers](https://bascousa.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/IBC_2.jpg)
![Baritainers](https://bascousa.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/IBC_2.jpg)
What Is an IBC?
An IBC is an intermediate bulk container that is used for storing or transporting a range of materials. There are several available types, such as those meant for holding food-grade materials, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, dry goods and more, and they come in a range of sizes that hold between 20 and 550 gallons. Larger IBCs are designed to be handled by forklifts or pallet jacks, and these include a metal framework on the bottom that makes them easy to move.
The Most Common IBC Size
The most common IBC tank sizes are 275 gallon IBCs and 330 gallon IBCs. These are common for a few reasons. For one, they are an ideal size and come with metal frameworks on the bottom for easy transport on pallets. They are also easy to stack, so shipping them is easy. What makes them the most useful, though, is that these two sizes can hold the same volume as multiple drum containers combined. This allows more to be stored or transported at one time in fewer containers. For example, a 275-gallon IBC can hold five 55-gallon drums worth of liquid or other material, while a 330-gallon IBC is equivalent to six 55-gallon drums. This easy conversion is one of the primary reasons these two sizes are a popular choice.
![](https://bascousa.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/image.jpg)
![](https://bascousa.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/image.jpg)
Choosing the right IBC is important both for the volume and material you wish to store or transport, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Start your IBC search process the right way by searching our BASCO catalog, or get in touch with us. We’ll help you find an IBC that works for you and your business!