How Much Does a Gallon of Acetone Weigh?
A US gallon of acetone weighs about 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg) at room temperature. Acetone’s density is roughly 0.791 g/mL at 20 °C, so one 3.785 L gallon holds about 2,994 g of liquid. The exact weight drops as temperature rises, because acetone expands and gets less dense when it warms.
Below is the full breakdown — weight by container size, the temperature effect, how acetone compares to water and other solvents, and how to order it in bulk from RightPath.
What Is the Density of Acetone?
Density is mass per unit volume, and it is what turns a volume you order (gallons, drums, totes) into the weight that shows up on a bill of lading. Acetone is lighter than water: water is 1.000 g/mL at 4 °C, while acetone sits near 0.79 g/mL. Reference density values for acetone (propan-2-one, CAS 67-64-1, PubChem CID 180):
| Temperature | Density (g/mL) | Weight per US gallon |
|---|---|---|
| 15 °C (59 °F) | 0.796 | 6.63 lb |
| 20 °C (68 °F) | 0.791 | 6.60 lb |
| 25 °C (77 °F) | 0.785 | 6.55 lb |
The difference between a cool warehouse and a hot loading dock is small on a single gallon but real across a tanker load, which is why acetone is bought and sold by net weight at a reference temperature, not by loose volume.
How Much Does Acetone Weigh by Container Size?
Using 0.791 g/mL (20 °C) for the liquid, here is the approximate weight of acetone alone — not counting the drum, tote, or tanker — for the fill sizes RightPath ships:
| Volume | Acetone weight (lb) | Acetone weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 US gallon | 6.6 | 3.0 |
| 5 gallon pail | 33 | 15 |
| 55 gallon drum | 363 | 165 |
| 275 gallon IBC tote | 1,815 | 823 |
| 330 gallon IBC tote | 2,178 | 988 |
Add container tare weight for shipping math: a steel 55-gallon drum adds roughly 40 lb empty, and a filled composite IBC tote of acetone runs well over a ton gross. For a self-serve number on any volume or temperature, use the RightPath density & volume-to-weight calculator.
Why Does Acetone Weigh Less Than Water?
Acetone molecules are relatively small and pack loosely because they interact mainly through weak dipole forces rather than the tight hydrogen-bond network that makes water dense. That lower density is the reason a gallon of acetone (about 6.6 lb) weighs roughly 1.7 lb less than a gallon of water (about 8.34 lb). It also means acetone floats on water and mixes with it fully in any ratio.
How Does Acetone Compare to Other Common Solvents?
| Liquid | Density at 20 °C (g/mL) | Weight per US gallon (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone | 0.791 | 6.6 |
| Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) | 0.786 | 6.55 |
| Methanol | 0.792 | 6.6 |
| Toluene | 0.867 | 7.23 |
| Water | 1.000 | 8.34 |
Key Physical Data for Acetone
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₃H₆O |
| Molar mass | 58.08 g/mol |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.791 g/mL |
| Boiling point | 56 °C (133 °F) |
| Flash point | −20 °C (−4 °F) — highly flammable |
| CAS number | 67-64-1 |
For the authoritative record on acetone’s identity and physical constants, see the PubChem entry for acetone (CID 180). Because acetone’s flash point is far below room temperature, always confirm current handling and storage requirements on the supplier Safety Data Sheet before use.
Grades and Sizes We Stock
RightPath Industries supplies acetone in technical, ACS/reagent, and high-purity analytical (including HPLC) grades. Standard fill sizes are 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, 275- and 330-gallon IBC totes, and bulk tanker quantities. Certificates of Analysis ship with every lot, and grade selection depends on your application — general cleaning and degreasing versus analytical or pharmaceutical use. See the acetone product page and our full solvents category.
How to Order Acetone from RightPath
Tell us the grade, volume, and delivery location, and we quote packaged or bulk acetone with a Certificate of Analysis and DOT-compliant shipping. RightPath serves industrial, laboratory, and manufacturing buyers with drum, tote, and tanker fulfillment. Request bulk pricing and we will turn your volume into a delivered weight and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pounds is a 55-gallon drum of acetone?
About 363 lb (165 kg) of acetone at 20 °C, before adding the drum’s own weight. A steel 55-gallon drum adds roughly 40 lb empty, so gross weight is near 400 lb.
Is acetone heavier or lighter than water?
Lighter. Acetone’s density (~0.791 g/mL) is below water’s (1.000 g/mL), so a gallon of acetone weighs about 6.6 lb versus 8.34 lb for water, and acetone floats on water.
How do you convert gallons of acetone to pounds?
Multiply gallons by density in pounds per gallon. At 20 °C acetone is about 6.6 lb/gal, so 100 gallons × 6.6 = 660 lb. Use a reference temperature for accuracy on large volumes.
Does temperature change how much a gallon of acetone weighs?
Yes. Acetone expands as it warms, so a gallon weighs slightly less at 25 °C (~6.55 lb) than at 15 °C (~6.63 lb). The effect is small per gallon but adds up across bulk shipments.
What is the density of acetone in kg/m³?
About 791 kg/m³ at 20 °C, equivalent to 0.791 g/mL or 0.791 g/cm³.