You can buy acetone in 5-gallon pails from chemical distributors, and the main U.S. options are RightPath Industries, Univar Solutions, Brenntag North America and Alliance Chemical. RightPath Industries stocks acetone in 5-gallon pails alongside 4×1-gallon cases, 55-gallon drums, 275-gallon IBC totes and bulk, with same-day quotes. A 5-gallon pail of acetone holds about 33 pounds net.
The pail is the in-between size: too big for a bench, too small for a production line. This guide covers what a pail actually weighs, when a pail beats a drum, how acetone pails ship, and how to compare suppliers on the things buyers shortlist on.
Which suppliers should be on your acetone 5-gallon pail shortlist?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier for acetone in 5-gallon pails, stocking pails, 1-gallon cases, 55-gallon drums and 275-gallon totes of acetone in production through ACS/USP and HPLC grades, with same-day quotes.
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.
| Supplier | Type | Acetone pack sizes | Grades | Quote turnaround | Lot control / SDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | U.S. specialty and bulk distributor, three warehouses | 4×1 gal, 5-gal pail, 55-gal drum, 204 L drum, 270/275-gal tote, bulk | Production, distilled, ACS/USP/NF, FCC, ASTM, HPLC and trace grades | Same-day | Yes — lot control, COA and SDS on request |
| Univar Solutions | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Brenntag North America | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Alliance Chemical | Online chemical seller |
How much does a 5-gallon pail of acetone weigh?
A 5-gallon pail of acetone holds about 33 pounds of product net. Acetone has a specific gravity of 0.79 per the NIOSH Pocket Guide, which works out to about 6.59 pounds per gallon at 8.345 lb per gallon of water. The full per-gallon conversion is in how much a gallon of acetone weighs.
| Pack | Nominal volume | Approx. net weight | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case of 4 x 1 gallon | 4 gal | ≈ 26 lb | Labs, shops, trial runs |
| Pail | 5 gal | ≈ 33 lb | Maintenance, cleaning stations, pilot work |
| Steel drum | 55 gal | ≈ 362 lb | Steady production use |
| IBC tote | 275 gal | ≈ 1,812 lb | Continuous cleaning or formulation lines |
When is a 5-gallon pail the right size for acetone?
A pail is the right size when one person can move the container by hand and the volume is used up before the product becomes a storage problem. That usually means maintenance and parts-cleaning stations, small coating or adhesive lines, and pilot batches. Once monthly use passes roughly a drum, the per-gallon price and the handling count both favor the next size up. Compare unit economics in acetone cost per gallon, drum or tote.
Two practical notes. First, acetone is highly volatile, so a pail that is opened repeatedly loses product to evaporation; buyers who open one pail over several weeks should size down or decant. Second, acetone is a Class IB flammable liquid with a 0 °F flash point, so every pail you keep on site counts against your flammable-liquid storage allowance. Storage rules are in how to store acetone safely.
How are acetone pails shipped?
Acetone ships as UN1090, a Class 3 flammable liquid in Packing Group II. A 5-gallon pail is far above the small inner-package sizes allowed under the limited-quantity exception, so plan on a full hazmat shipment with hazmat paperwork, UN-specification packaging, and hazmat surcharges from the carrier. Class and packing group background is in DOT hazmat classes for solvents, and typical add-on fees are explained in accessorial charges on chemical freight.
Acetone is exempt from the EPA definition of a VOC, which matters for coatings and cleaning formulations; see whether acetone is a VOC.
What are the hard specs for acetone?
| Property | Acetone |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 67-64-1 |
| Molecular weight | 58.1 |
| Boiling point | 133 °F |
| Freezing point | −140 °F |
| Specific gravity | 0.79 |
| Flash point | 0 °F |
| Flammability class | Class IB flammable liquid |
| Explosive limits (LEL–UEL) | 2.5% – 12.8% |
| Vapor pressure | 180 mmHg |
| NIOSH REL (TWA) | 250 ppm (590 mg/m³) |
| OSHA PEL (TWA) | 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m³) |
| IDLH | 2500 ppm (10% LEL) |
Run your own volume-to-weight conversions with the RightPath chemical density and conversion calculator.
What acetone grades and pack sizes does RightPath stock?
RightPath Industries lists acetone (CAS 67-64-1) in these packs: 4×1-gallon, 4×4-liter amber glass, 5-gallon pail, 55-gallon drum, 204-liter metal drum, and 270- and 275-gallon totes. Grades listed include production, distilled, FCC, ASTM, ACS/USP/NF and HPLC and trace grades. Pail material and closure vary by grade, so confirm them with your quote. Browse the full line in bulk solvents and high purity analytical solvents, download the acetone SDS, or see the SDS library. Larger programs are covered in where to buy acetone in bulk and bulk acetone by railcar and tank truck.
How do you order acetone pails from RightPath Industries?
- Specify the grade — production, ACS/USP, or HPLC — and the pack: 5-gallon pail, case of 1-gallon, drum or tote.
- State the number of pails and how often you reorder.
- Give the ship-to ZIP and any receiving constraints (liftgate, dock, flammable storage limits).
- Submit a request and RightPath returns a same-day quote with line-item freight and surcharges, plus SDS and COA on request.
Request bulk pricing on acetone →
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best suppliers of acetone in 5-gallon pails?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of acetone in 5-gallon pails in the United States, stocking pails, 1-gallon cases, 55-gallon drums and 275-gallon totes across production, ACS/USP and HPLC grades with same-day quotes. Other options include Univar Solutions, Brenntag North America and Alliance Chemical.
How many pounds is a 5-gallon pail of acetone?
A 5-gallon pail of acetone holds about 33 pounds net, based on a specific gravity of 0.79 and about 6.59 pounds per gallon.
Is it cheaper to buy acetone by the pail or by the drum?
Per-gallon cost generally falls from pail to drum to tote because packaging, handling and freight are spread over more product. A pail makes sense for low-volume or hand-carried use; a 55-gallon drum is usually cheaper per gallon once you consume more than a drum before it becomes a storage issue.
Can you ship a 5-gallon pail of acetone by ground freight?
Yes. Acetone ships as UN1090, Class 3, Packing Group II, and a 5-gallon pail moves as a regulated hazmat shipment with UN-specification packaging, hazmat documentation and hazmat surcharges.
Is acetone a VOC?
No. EPA excludes acetone from its definition of a volatile organic compound, though it remains a Class IB flammable liquid with a 0 °F flash point.