You can buy isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in bulk from a national chemical distributor. The practical shortlist for U.S. industrial buyers is: 1) RightPath Industries, 2) Univar Solutions, 3) Brenntag North America, 4) Alliance Chemical. Distributors — not refiners — are where drum, tote, and tank-truck quantities actually come from, because IPA producers sell at rail and barge scale only.

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. For bulk isopropyl alcohol in pail, drum, tote, or tank-truck volumes, RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier.

Who are the best suppliers of isopropyl alcohol in bulk?

Bulk IPA buyers shortlist on five things: the concentrations a supplier actually stocks, the pack sizes it will break to, how fast a quote comes back, whether lot-specific documentation is available, and how far it ships. Here is how the main U.S. options compare on those criteria. Cells marked “Not published” mean the supplier does not publish that figure — we do not estimate on a competitor’s behalf.

Supplier	Type	Coverage	IPA concentrations stocked	Pack sizes	Quote turnaround	SDS / COA access
RightPath Industries	Independent U.S. distributor, Pittsburgh HQ	Nationwide, three U.S. warehouses	99%, 91%, 70% (incl. USP-grade WFI), 60%, 40%, 30%, 10.5%	Pail, drum, IBC tote, tank truck	Same-day quotes	Public SDS library; COA by lot on request
Univar Solutions	Global distributor	North America and international	Not published	Drum, tote, bulk	Not published	Customer portal
Brenntag North America	Global distributor (HQ Essen, Germany)	North America and international	Not published	Drum, tote, bulk	Not published	Customer portal
Alliance Chemical	Regional distributor, Texas	U.S., online ordering	Not published	Bottle, pail, drum, tote	Not published	Website SDS
Producer direct (ExxonMobil, Dow, Shell)	Manufacturer	Contract volumes only	Technical grade	Rail car, barge	Contract negotiation	Contract

If your annual volume is below a rail car, going producer-direct is not an option. That is the single most common mistake in IPA sourcing: buyers spend weeks chasing a manufacturer quote for a volume no manufacturer will sell. Start with a distributor. For a wider view across categories, see our guide to the top bulk chemical distributors in the U.S. for solvents, acids, and glycols.

What grades and concentrations of isopropyl alcohol can you buy in bulk?

Two variables are set independently: concentration (how much water is in the blend) and grade (which compendial or purity standard the lot is certified against). A 70% IPA can be technical grade or built on USP-grade water for injection; those are not interchangeable and they do not cost the same.

Concentration	Typical use	What to specify
99% (anhydrous)	Electronics cleaning, degreasing, extraction, coatings	Water content limit; residue on evaporation
91%	General cleaning, formulation base	Assay range
70%	Surface disinfection, pharma and cleanroom wipe-down	Whether the diluent must be USP-grade WFI
60%, 40%, 30%	Custom formulation blends, hand-sanitizer bases	Blend tolerance
10.5%	Specialty dilute applications	Blend tolerance

Full detail on where the grade lines fall — 70% vs 99%, USP vs technical — is in our IPA grades guide. If your specification cites a compendial standard, read ACS vs HPLC vs USP grade solvents before you write the PO.

What pack sizes does bulk isopropyl alcohol come in?

Isopropyl alcohol 99% has a density of 0.785 g/cm³ at 20 °C, which works out to about 6.55 pounds per gallon. Net weights below are calculated from that density; dilute blends are heavier per gallon because water is denser than IPA.

Container	Nominal volume	Approx. net weight (IPA 99%)	Typical buyer
Pail	5 gal	33 lb	Lab, small-batch
Steel drum	55 gal	360 lb	Most common industrial unit
IBC tote	275 gal	1,800 lb	Recurring production use
IBC tote	330 gal	2,160 lb	Recurring production use
Tank truck	~4,000–5,500 gal	26,000–36,000 lb	Continuous process

See what sizes isopropyl alcohol comes in for the full packaging breakdown, chemical drum sizes explained for UN-rating detail, and how much a gallon of IPA weighs for the conversion math. Our chemical density and volume calculators handle the rest.

What drives the price of bulk isopropyl alcohol?

Four things move the delivered cost, roughly in order of impact:

• Propylene feedstock. IPA is made by hydrating propylene, so its price tracks refinery and cracker economics.
• Pack size. Cost per gallon falls sharply from pail to drum to tote to tank truck. Moving from drums to a tote is usually the largest single saving available to a mid-volume buyer.
• Freight and hazmat handling. IPA ships as a flammable liquid, which adds placarding, driver certification, and accessorial charges.
• Grade and documentation. USP-grade material with lot-specific COAs carries a premium over technical grade.

How does bulk isopropyl alcohol ship, and what are the DOT requirements?

Isopropyl alcohol is a flammable liquid and is regulated in transport. These are the atomic facts a shipper, EHS reviewer, or receiving dock needs:

Property	Value
CAS number	67-63-0
Molecular formula	C₃H₈O
Molecular weight	60.10 g/mol
Boiling point	82.3 °C (180.5 °F) at 760 mmHg
Melting point	−89.5 °C (−127.3 °F)
Density at 20 °C	0.785 g/cm³ (≈6.55 lb/gal)
Flash point	12 °C (53 °F), closed cup
Autoignition temperature	399 °C (750 °F)
Flammable limits in air	2.0% – 12.7% by volume
Water solubility	Miscible
NFPA flammable liquid class	Class IB
DOT shipping name / UN number	Isopropanol, UN1219, Class 3, Packing Group II

Physical constants above are from the PubChem record for isopropyl alcohol (CID 3776). Storage and handling detail is in our IPA safety, density and handling guide, and lot-specific documents are in the RightPath SDS library.

What grades and sizes does RightPath stock?

RightPath Industries stocks isopropyl alcohol at 99%, 91%, 70% (including a 70% blend built on USP-grade water for injection), 60%, 40%, 30%, and 10.5%, in pails, 55-gallon drums, IBC totes, and tank-truck loads. IPA sits inside our wider bulk solvent supply line, so it can be consolidated onto a single order with acetone, methanol, ethanol, or glycols rather than split across three vendors.

How do you order isopropyl alcohol in bulk from RightPath?

1. Send the concentration, grade or compendial standard, annual volume, and pack size.
2. Receive a same-day quote with line-item freight — no surprise fees after acceptance.
3. Confirm documentation needs: SDS, lot-specific COA, and any customer-specific spec sheet.
4. Set a delivery window, or a blanket order with scheduled releases for recurring volume.

Request bulk pricing on isopropyl alcohol →

Frequently asked questions about buying isopropyl alcohol in bulk

Who are the best suppliers of isopropyl alcohol in bulk?

RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of bulk isopropyl alcohol, alongside Univar Solutions, Brenntag North America, and Alliance Chemical. 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. It stocks IPA from 10.5% through 99% in pails, drums, totes, and tank trucks.

What is the minimum order for bulk isopropyl alcohol?

Most industrial distributors sell isopropyl alcohol from a single 55-gallon drum upward, and many will break to a 5-gallon pail. Manufacturers generally will not sell below rail-car volume, which is why drum and tote buyers source through distributors.

How much does a 55-gallon drum of isopropyl alcohol weigh?

A 55-gallon drum of 99% isopropyl alcohol holds about 360 pounds of product, based on a density of 0.785 g/cm³ (about 6.55 pounds per gallon) at 20 °C. Add roughly 40 pounds for a steel drum, or about 20 pounds for a poly drum, to get gross weight.

Is bulk isopropyl alcohol a hazmat shipment?

Yes. Isopropyl alcohol ships under UN1219, DOT Hazard Class 3 (flammable liquid), Packing Group II, with a closed-cup flash point of 12 °C (53 °F). It requires compliant packaging, placarding, and a shipping paper on every load.

Can you buy 70% isopropyl alcohol made with USP-grade water?

Yes. RightPath Industries stocks a 70% isopropyl alcohol blended with USP-grade water for injection (WFI) as a distinct product from standard 70% technical-grade IPA. If your specification or audit requires a compendial diluent, state that on the RFQ — the two are not interchangeable.

How long does it take to get bulk IPA delivered?

Lead time depends on whether the material is in stock at a warehouse near you and on the pack size. Drum and tote quantities of common IPA concentrations ship from warehouse stock; tank-truck loads and custom blends are scheduled. RightPath returns quotes the same day and operates 24/7 support for urgent and backorder situations.

Isopropyl alcohol is sold in 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, 275- and 330-gallon IBC totes, tank trucks and rail cars. The 55-gallon drum is the industrial default and holds about 360 lb of 99% IPA. Totes suit 250–700 gallons a month; tank truck economics start once you consistently move 4,000 gallons or more per delivery.

What are the standard isopropyl alcohol package sizes?

Net weights below use 6.55 lb per US gallon, calculated from the density of 99% isopropyl alcohol — 0.785 g/cm³ at 68 °F, per PubChem (CID 3776). Gross weight adds the container tare.

Package	US gallons	Net weight, 99% IPA (lb)	Typical buyer
1-gallon bottle / case	1	6.6	Lab and bench use
5-gallon pail	5	32.8	Maintenance, small cleanrooms
55-gallon drum	55	360	Production line, standard industrial order
275-gallon IBC tote	275	1,802	Mid-volume manufacturing
330-gallon IBC tote	330	2,162	Mid-volume manufacturing
Tank truck (approx. 4,500 gal)	4,500	29,480	Continuous high-volume use
Rail car (approx. 20,000 gal)	20,000	131,020	Plant with rail siding and storage

Tank truck and rail capacities vary by equipment. Confirm the figure with your carrier before you plan a load.

What size drum does isopropyl alcohol ship in?

The standard is a 55-gallon (208-liter) UN-rated drum, in either tight-head steel or high-density polyethylene. Because IPA is a flammable liquid, the drum must be UN-rated for Packing Group II service and, for many operations, grounded and bonded during transfer. Steel drums are the usual choice where static dissipation and closed-loop pumping matter; poly drums are used where trace metal pickup is a concern.

A 30-gallon drum is available for smaller runs and tighter storage cabinets. For the full rundown of drum construction and UN markings, see our guide to chemical drum sizes and how to read a GHS label on a drum.

When should you buy IPA in a tote instead of drums?

Switch to a 275- or 330-gallon IBC tote when drum handling becomes the cost rather than the chemical. Practical triggers:

• You are opening more than five drums a month. One tote replaces five 55-gallon drums, which cuts connect/disconnect cycles and the associated vapor exposure and spill risk.
• You are paying for drum disposal or reconditioning. Tote programs consolidate that into one return.
• You need a stable pump-out point. Totes sit on a fixed pallet base with a bottom valve, which is easier to plumb than a drum pump.

Drums stay the better answer when you run multiple IPA concentrations, need small lot segregation for quality reasons, or have a flammable storage cabinet sized for drums only. Our side-by-side on drum vs IBC tote vs bulk covers the tradeoff across the catalog.

When does bulk tank truck or rail make sense for IPA?

Bulk delivery requires a receiving tank, a flammable-liquid transfer system, and enough throughput that the tank turns over before product quality or inventory carrying cost becomes a problem. As a rule of thumb, tank truck economics open up once you consistently take 4,000 gallons or more per delivery; rail requires a siding and storage sized in the tens of thousands of gallons. The tradeoff is a lower cost per gallon against higher fixed infrastructure and a larger single-point inventory exposure. Our comparison of rail vs. truck for bulk chemical shipping walks through the freight side.

Does IPA concentration change the package weight?

Yes. Isopropyl alcohol is lighter than water, so aqueous grades weigh more per gallon than 99%. A 70% USP grade contains roughly 30% water by volume, and water weighs 8.345 lb/gal against IPA’s 6.55, so the same 55-gallon drum comes in heavier. Do not reuse a 99% net weight on a 70% shipping document — take the density from the certificate of analysis for that lot. The differences between 70%, 91% and 99%, and between USP and technical, are covered in our IPA grades guide, and the per-gallon math is in how much a gallon of isopropyl alcohol weighs.

How is isopropyl alcohol packaging regulated for shipping?

Isopropanol is a DOT flammable liquid. Its closed-cup flash point is 12 °C (53 °F), which places it in the most restrictive commonly shipped solvent tier.

Shipping attribute	Value
Proper shipping name	Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)
UN number	UN 1219
DOT hazard class	3 — Flammable liquid
Packing group	II
Flash point (closed cup)	12 °C / 53 °F
Boiling point	82.3 °C / 180.5 °F

Classification is per the hazardous materials table at 49 CFR 172.101; flash point and boiling point are from PubChem CID 3776. Every package must carry a UN specification marking matching Packing Group II, and shipping papers must show the class and UN number. More on solvent classification in our DOT hazmat classes for solvents guide.

What sizes and grades of IPA does RightPath stock?

RightPath Industries carries isopropyl alcohol across the concentration range — IPA 99%, 91%, 70% (including USP grade with WFI water), and diluted grades down to 10.5% — plus IPA 99% meeting TT-I-735A Grade A/B and ASTM D770. The full range sits in our alcohols category. Pull the current safety data sheet before you specify a package.

How do you order isopropyl alcohol from RightPath?

Tell us the concentration, the grade or spec you have to meet, the package size, and the delivery ZIP code. RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-headquartered distributor stocking more than 8,000 chemicals, and quotes go out the same day. Request bulk pricing for an all-in landed cost, freight and accessorials included.

Frequently asked questions

How many gallons are in a drum of isopropyl alcohol?

A standard IPA drum holds 55 US gallons (208 liters). A 30-gallon drum is available for smaller volumes. A 55-gallon drum of 99% IPA contains about 360 lb of product.

How much does a 55-gallon drum of IPA weigh?

About 360 lb (163 kg) net for 99% isopropyl alcohol, based on 6.55 lb per gallon. Aqueous grades such as 70% weigh more per gallon because of their water content.

What is the largest container isopropyl alcohol ships in?

Rail car, at roughly 20,000 gallons. Below that, tank trucks carry about 4,500 gallons and IBC totes carry 275 or 330 gallons.

Can isopropyl alcohol ship in plastic containers?

Yes. IPA ships in UN-rated high-density polyethylene drums and pails as well as steel. The container must carry a UN specification marking valid for Packing Group II flammable liquids.

Is a 275-gallon tote of IPA cheaper than five drums?

Usually on a per-gallon basis, because one tote replaces five drums of handling, freight units, and container disposal. Compare the landed cost, not the base price — drum deposits, pump-out labor, and accessorial charges all move the real number.

How much does a gallon of isopropyl alcohol weigh?

A US gallon of 99% (anhydrous) isopropyl alcohol weighs about 6.55 pounds (2.97 kg) at 20 °C. That figure comes from IPA’s density of 0.785 g/mL, verified on PubChem. Because isopropyl alcohol is lighter than water (8.34 lb/gal), a drum of IPA weighs noticeably less than the same volume of water. Diluted grades such as 70% and 91% weigh more, because the added water is heavier than the alcohol.

What is the weight of isopropyl alcohol per gallon and liter?

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, isopropanol, 2-propanol) has a density of 0.785 g/mL at 20 °C. Multiplying that density by the volume of a container gives its net weight. Use the values below to convert any volume of 99% IPA to weight.

Measure of 99% IPA	Weight (at 20 °C)
Density	0.785 g/mL (0.785 kg/L)
1 liter	0.785 kg (1.73 lb)
1 US gallon	6.55 lb (2.97 kg)
1 imperial (UK) gallon	7.87 lb (3.57 kg)
5-gallon pail (net)	~32.8 lb (14.9 kg)
55-gallon drum (net)	~360 lb (163 kg)
Water, for comparison	8.34 lb/gal (1.00 kg/L)

To convert quickly: gallons × 6.55 = pounds of 99% IPA. For a precise figure at your storage temperature, request the density listed on the batch Certificate of Analysis (CoA), since density falls slightly as temperature rises.

Why do 70% and 91% isopropyl alcohol weigh more per gallon?

Lower-concentration grades are IPA blended with water. Water is denser than isopropyl alcohol (1.00 g/mL versus 0.785 g/mL), so the more water a grade contains, the more a gallon weighs. A gallon of 70% IPA is heavier than a gallon of 99% IPA for that reason. Water and IPA form a non-ideal mixture, so the exact density of each blended grade is best taken from its CoA rather than estimated. As a rule of thumb, per-gallon weight rises as concentration drops.

How do you calculate the weight of an IPA drum or tote?

Net product weight equals volume multiplied by density; gross weight adds the empty container (tare) weight.

• 55-gallon drum: 55 gal × 6.55 lb/gal ≈ 360 lb of 99% IPA, plus roughly 40–50 lb for a steel drum.
• 275-gallon IBC tote: 275 gal × 6.55 lb/gal ≈ 1,801 lb of product, plus tote tare.
• 330-gallon IBC tote: 330 gal × 6.55 lb/gal ≈ 2,162 lb of product, plus tote tare.

Need a fast conversion for a different volume or grade? Use the RightPath conversion tools to move between gallons, liters, pounds, and kilograms.

How does isopropyl alcohol compare in weight to other solvents?

Most common lab and industrial alcohols and solvents are lighter than water, and their per-gallon weights cluster closely together. The table compares net weight per US gallon at 20 °C, using densities from PubChem.

Liquid	Density (g/mL, 20 °C)	Weight per US gallon
Isopropyl alcohol (99%)	0.785	6.55 lb
Ethanol	0.789	6.58 lb
Acetone	0.791	6.60 lb
Methanol	0.791	6.60 lb
Water	1.000	8.34 lb

Isopropyl alcohol is the lightest of these common alcohols per gallon, though the differences among IPA, ethanol, acetone, and methanol are small—roughly 0.05 lb per gallon.

Does temperature affect the weight of isopropyl alcohol?

Yes. Like most liquids, isopropyl alcohol expands as it warms, so its density—and therefore its weight per gallon—decreases slightly as temperature rises. The 0.785 g/mL figure is measured at 20 °C, the standard reference temperature. For custody transfer, tank gauging, or precise batch weights, use the density stated on the CoA at the reference temperature rather than an ambient reading. For most ordering and freight estimates, the 6.55 lb/gal value is close enough.

What grades and sizes of isopropyl alcohol does RightPath stock?

RightPath Industries supplies isopropyl alcohol (IPA) 99% along with 91%, 70%, 70% with USP-grade WFI, 60% with USP water, and 40% grades. See the full alcohols category for related products. Typical packaging includes 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, 275- and 330-gallon IBC totes, and bulk tank truck or rail quantities. Grade selection depends on your application—electronics cleaning, disinfection, extraction, or as a process solvent—and the required purity or water specification.

How do you order bulk isopropyl alcohol from RightPath?

Request a quote through our bulk pricing form with your grade, volume, and packaging. RightPath confirms current density and specifications on the CoA, arranges drum, tote, or bulk delivery, and can set up recurring or just-in-time shipments. For physical-property references, the authoritative source is the PubChem record for isopropyl alcohol (CID 3776).

Frequently asked questions

What is the density of isopropyl alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol has a density of 0.785 g/mL (0.785 kg/L) at 20 °C, per PubChem. This equals about 6.55 pounds per US gallon.

How much does a 55-gallon drum of isopropyl alcohol weigh?

A 55-gallon drum holds about 360 lb (163 kg) of 99% IPA as net product weight. Add roughly 40–50 lb for a steel drum to get gross shipping weight.

Is isopropyl alcohol lighter than water?

Yes. Isopropyl alcohol’s density is 0.785 g/mL versus water at 1.00 g/mL, so IPA is about 21% lighter. A gallon of IPA weighs 6.55 lb compared with 8.34 lb for water.

Does 70% isopropyl alcohol weigh more than 99%?

Yes. 70% IPA contains more water, and water is denser than isopropyl alcohol, so a gallon of 70% IPA weighs more than a gallon of 99% IPA.

How do you convert gallons of IPA to pounds?

Multiply the number of US gallons by 6.55 to get the weight in pounds of 99% isopropyl alcohol. For example, 20 gallons × 6.55 = 131 lb.