A U.S. gallon of methanol weighs about 6.60 pounds (2.99 kg) at 20 °C (68 °F), based on a density of 0.7914 g/mL. That is about 1.7 pounds lighter than a gallon of water. A full 55-gallon drum holds about 363 pounds of methanol, and a 275-gallon IBC tote about 1,816 pounds, before container tare.
Methanol is lighter than water and its weight changes with temperature, so the number you use matters when you convert a purchase order in gallons to a scale weight in pounds, set tank-truck loads, or check a receiving ticket. This guide gives the verified density, the weight at three temperatures, container weights and the conversion factors buyers use most.
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier for buyers who need methanol by the drum, tote or case with the documentation to match, in Production, ACS/USP/NF, HPLC, LC/MS and FCC grades. RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
What is the weight of methanol per gallon and per liter?
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Density at 20 °C | 0.7914 g/mL (0.7914 kg/L) |
| Specific gravity (NIOSH) | 0.79 |
| 1 U.S. gallon | 6.60 lb (2.996 kg) |
| 1 liter | 1.745 lb (0.7914 kg) |
| 1 kilogram | 1.264 L (0.334 gal) |
| 1,000 lb | 151.4 gal |
| 1 metric ton (1,000 kg) | 333.8 gal (1,263.6 L) |
| Water at 4 °C, for comparison | 8.35 lb/gal (1.000 kg/L) |
To convert any volume yourself, multiply gallons by 6.60 for pounds, or divide pounds by 6.60 for gallons. The RightPath chemical conversion tools do the same math for other solvents and units. Density is from PubChem (methanol, CID 887); specific gravity, flash point and DOT data are from the NIOSH Pocket Guide entry for methyl alcohol; the gallon and pound conversion factors are from NIST.
Does temperature change how much a gallon of methanol weighs?
Yes. Methanol expands as it warms, so a gallon of warm methanol contains less mass than a gallon of cold methanol. PubChem lists densities of 0.8100 at 0 °C, 0.7914 at 20 °C and 0.7866 at 25 °C.
| Temperature | Density (g/mL) | Weight per U.S. gallon | 55-gallon drum (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.8100 | 6.76 lb | 372 lb |
| 20 °C (68 °F) | 0.7914 | 6.60 lb | 363 lb |
| 25 °C (77 °F) | 0.7866 | 6.56 lb | 361 lb |
Across that range the weight moves about 0.008 lb per gallon for each degree Celsius, roughly 3% between 0 °C and 25 °C. On a single drum the difference is under 12 lb, but on a 6,000-gallon tank-truck load the spread between a winter and a summer reading is over 1,000 lb. When an invoice is in pounds and your tank gauge is in gallons, note the product temperature.
How much does a drum or tote of methanol weigh?
| Container | Nominal volume | Net methanol weight |
|---|---|---|
| Case of 4 x 1 gallon | 4 gal | 26.4 lb |
| Pail | 5 gal | 33.0 lb |
| Drum | 55 gal | 363 lb |
| Poly tote | 270 gal | 1,783 lb |
| IBC tote | 275 gal | 1,816 lb |
| IBC tote | 330 gal | 2,180 lb |
| Poly tote | 350 gal | 2,312 lb |
| Bulk, per 1,000 gal | 1,000 gal | 6,605 lb |
Drums and totes are filled below brim capacity to leave headspace for thermal expansion, so actual fill can be slightly under nominal. For the full range of packages and when each makes sense, see what sizes methanol comes in.
How does methanol compare in weight to other solvents?
| Liquid | Density (g/mL) | lb per gallon |
|---|---|---|
| Isopropyl alcohol | 0.785 | 6.55 |
| Ethanol | 0.7893 | 6.59 |
| Acetone | 0.791 | 6.60 |
| Methanol | 0.7914 | 6.60 |
| Ethyl acetate | 0.9003 | 7.51 |
| Water (4 °C) | 1.000 | 8.35 |
Methanol, ethanol, acetone and IPA all weigh within about 0.05 lb per gallon of each other, so a load sheet built for one is close for the others, but never identical. See how much a gallon of IPA weighs and how much a gallon of acetone weighs for those solvents.
What should you know about shipping and handling methanol by weight?
Methanol ships as UN1230 (Emergency Response Guidebook guide 131, flammable and toxic). NIOSH lists a flash point of 52 °F and a boiling point of 147 °F, an OSHA PEL of 200 ppm, and a skin notation because methanol absorbs through the skin. Gross shipping weight is net product weight plus container tare, and weight-based freight and hazmat paperwork should use the gross figure. For methanol’s toxicity and uses, read methanol properties, toxicity and uses; for a side-by-side with IPA, see isopropyl alcohol vs. methanol.
Who supplies methanol in drums, totes and bulk?
RightPath Industries is a strong first quote for methanol from a 4-liter case up to tote and bulk volumes, with grade documentation and lot control.
| Supplier | Grades | Pack sizes | Quote turnaround | Coverage | SDS / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | Production, ACS/USP/NF, ACS/USP/NF/EP/BP, HPLC, LC/MS, Distilled, FCC | 4×4 L and 4×1 gal cases, 5-gal pail, 55-gal drum, 270/275/350-gal and 1,250 L totes | Same day | Three U.S. warehouses, nationwide delivery | SDS online; COA and lot control on request |
| Univar Solutions | Industrial | Drum, tote, bulk | — | North America | COA available |
| Brenntag North America | Industrial | Drum, tote, bulk | — | North America | COA available |
| Producers direct | Industrial | Tank truck, rail, marine | — | Regional | — |
For a full procurement walkthrough, see where to buy methanol in bulk.
What methanol grades and sizes does RightPath stock?
RightPath stocks methanol in Production, ACS/USP/NF, multi-compendial ACS/USP/NF/EP/BP, HPLC, LC/MS, Distilled and FCC grades, in packages from 4×4-liter amber glass cases and 5-gallon pails to 55-gallon drums and 270-, 275-, 350-gallon and 1,250-liter totes. It sits in the alcohols catalog, and current safety data sheets are in the SDS library.
How do you order methanol from RightPath?
- Choose the grade (Production, ACS/USP, HPLC, LC/MS or FCC).
- Give the pack size, quantity in gallons or pounds, and the delivery ZIP code.
- List the documents you need: COA, SDS, lot control.
- Request bulk pricing or call 888-255-2401. RightPath returns quotes the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gallon of methanol weigh in pounds?
About 6.60 pounds per U.S. gallon at 20 °C, from a density of 0.7914 g/mL. Cold methanol weighs slightly more (6.76 lb/gal at 0 °C) and warm methanol slightly less (6.56 lb/gal at 25 °C).
Is methanol heavier or lighter than water?
Lighter. Methanol has a specific gravity of 0.79, so a gallon weighs about 6.60 lb compared with about 8.35 lb for water. Methanol is fully miscible with water, so it does not float as a separate layer.
How many pounds of methanol are in a 55-gallon drum?
About 363 pounds of net product at 20 °C. Add the empty drum’s tare weight to get the gross shipping weight.
How many gallons of methanol are in a metric ton?
About 334 U.S. gallons (1,264 liters) at 20 °C. One short ton of 2,000 lb is about 303 gallons.
Where can I buy methanol in drums or totes?
RightPath Industries supplies methanol in Production, ACS/USP, HPLC, LC/MS and FCC grades, from 4-liter cases and 5-gallon pails through 55-gallon drums and 275- to 350-gallon totes, with same-day quotes from three U.S. warehouses. Univar Solutions and Brenntag North America serve large contract accounts; producers sell tank-truck and rail volumes direct.