Methanol is sold in 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon steel drums, 275- and 330-gallon IBC totes, and bulk tank trucks and rail cars. Because methanol weighs about 6.6 pounds per gallon, a full 55-gallon drum holds roughly 363 pounds of product. It ships as UN1230, a DOT Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group II, with a toxic (6.1) subsidiary hazard.
What container sizes does methanol come in?
Methanol (CAS 67-56-1) is a commodity solvent stocked in a standard ladder of package sizes, from small lab pails to full rail tank cars. The right size depends on your usage rate, storage and fire-code limits, and how quickly you turn inventory. The table below lists the common packages and the approximate net product weight of methanol in each (container tare weight is additional).
| Package | Nominal capacity | Capacity (liters) | Approx. net weight of methanol | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pail | 5 US gal | 18.9 L | ~33 lb (15 kg) | Lab, small-batch, sampling |
| Steel drum | 55 US gal | 208 L | ~363 lb (165 kg) | Production, most common unit |
| IBC tote | 275 US gal | 1,041 L | ~1,818 lb (825 kg) | Higher-volume, reusable |
| IBC tote | 330 US gal | 1,249 L | ~2,181 lb (990 kg) | Higher-volume, reusable |
| Tank truck | ~4,000–6,000 US gal | ~15,000–23,000 L | ~26,000–40,000 lb | Bulk delivery to on-site tanks |
| Rail tank car | ~20,000+ US gal | ~76,000+ L | ~130,000+ lb | Large-volume industrial supply |
How much does a 55-gallon drum of methanol weigh?
A full 55-gallon drum holds about 363 pounds (165 kg) of methanol as net product weight, because methanol’s density is 0.792 g/cm³ at 20 °C, or roughly 6.6 pounds per gallon. Add the empty drum’s tare (a 55-gallon steel drum weighs about 40–50 lb) and gross weight lands near 405–415 lb. To convert any methanol volume to weight for a specific temperature or package, use our chemical density and volume calculator.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 67-56-1 |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.792 g/cm³ |
| Weight per US gallon | ~6.6 lb (2.99 kg) |
| Molecular weight | 32.04 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 64.6 °C (148.3 °F) |
| Flash point | 11 °C (52 °F) — flammable |
| UN number | UN1230 |
| DOT hazard class | 3 (flammable liquid), subsidiary 6.1 (toxic) |
| Packing group | II |
What are methanol IBC totes and bulk options?
For volumes beyond a few drums, methanol moves in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and true bulk. A 275-gallon IBC tote holds about 1,818 lb of methanol and a 330-gallon tote about 2,181 lb; both are caged, palletized, and forklift-ready. Above tote scale, methanol is delivered by tank truck (typically 4,000–6,000 gallons per load into a customer storage tank) or by rail tank car for continuous, high-volume operations. Bulk pricing per gallon is lowest at truck and rail scale, but requires compliant on-site storage, grounding and bonding, and vapor management.
How is methanol packaged and shipped under DOT rules?
Methanol ships as UN1230, Methanol, Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group II, with a 6.1 (toxic) subsidiary hazard because it is poisonous if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed. Packaging must be UN-rated for Packing Group II flammable liquids, correctly labeled and marked, and accompanied by shipping papers and an emergency response reference. Because methanol burns with a nearly invisible flame and forms flammable vapor at room temperature, drums and totes are grounded and bonded during transfer. Always follow the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and DOT 49 CFR requirements for the specific package and mode.
What methanol grades and sizes does RightPath stock?
RightPath Industries supplies bulk methanol across the sizes above, in the grades most buyers request:
- Grade AA / IMPCA (≥99.85%) — the commodity standard for synthesis and fuel blending.
- ACS Reagent grade — meets American Chemical Society purity specs for lab use.
- HPLC grade — ultra-low UV absorbance and residue for chromatography.
- USP/NF grade — meets United States Pharmacopeia requirements.
Every order ships with a batch Certificate of Analysis (COA) and grade-specific spec sheet. Browse the full solvents category for related products.
How do you order methanol from RightPath?
Tell us the grade, package size, and quantity you need, plus your delivery ZIP for freight. We confirm grade, COA, lead time, and DOT/hazmat logistics up front so there are no surprises at delivery. Request bulk pricing and a RightPath specialist will match the methanol grade and packaging to your process.
Frequently asked questions about methanol packaging
How many gallons are in a drum of methanol?
A standard methanol drum is a 55-gallon (208-liter) steel drum. Because of required ullage for thermal expansion, the usable fill is slightly under 55 gallons, and net product weight is about 363 lb.
How much does a gallon of methanol weigh?
A US gallon of methanol weighs about 6.6 pounds (2.99 kg), based on a density of 0.792 g/cm³ at 20 °C. Weight decreases slightly as temperature rises.
Can methanol be shipped in plastic totes?
Yes. Methanol is commonly supplied in 275- and 330-gallon IBC totes that are UN-rated for Packing Group II flammable liquids. Totes must be grounded and bonded during transfer and stored per fire code.
What is the UN number and DOT class for methanol?
Methanol is UN1230, a DOT Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group II, with a 6.1 toxic subsidiary hazard.
What is the smallest quantity of methanol I can buy in bulk?
RightPath stocks methanol from 5-gallon pails and single 55-gallon drums up through totes, tank trucks, and rail. Contact us for the minimum order that fits your grade and location.
RightPath Industries supplies bulk methanol and a broad range of industrial solvents, glycols, and specialty chemicals. Physical and regulatory data above is drawn from NOAA CAMEO Chemicals and PubChem; always consult the product SDS before handling.