How many 55-gallon drums fit in a 20ft reefer?
55-gallon drums of 585 × 585 × 880 mm (also called 200 L drums, 205 L steel drums) in a 20-foot refrigerated container (20RF) — inner dimensions 5,444 × 2,294 × 2,276 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Upright, single layer (not stacked). 29% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 5,940 kg (22% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (27 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (1 layer)
The answer in detail
A 55 US gallon / 205-litre steel drum is about 585 mm in diameter and 880 mm tall; filled with a water-like liquid it weighs around 220 kg. Drums are modelled here on their square footprint, standing upright and loose (not palletised, not stacked). Palletised drums load as 48 × 48 in pallets, four per pallet.
The refrigeration unit and insulated walls take space, so a reefer is shorter, narrower and lower inside than a dry 20ft. Leave the T-floor and the air return clear.
The simple grid estimate is 9 along the length × 3 across × 1 high = 27. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (27).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright, single layer (not stacked) (headline figure) | 27 | 1 | 29% | 5,940 kg (22% of payload) |
| Drums stacked two high (only if the drum, lid and cargo allow it) | 54 | 2 | 57% | 11,880 kg (43% of payload) |
How many 20ft reefers for a given order?
| 55-gallon drums | 10 | 25 | 50 | 100 | 250 | 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft reefers needed | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 19 |
| Last one filled to | 37% | 93% | 85% | 70% | 26% | 52% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 55-gallon drums fit in a 20ft reefer?
27 55-gallon drums of 585 × 585 × 880 mm fit in a 20ft reefer (inner dimensions 5,444 × 2,294 × 2,276 mm), upright, single layer (not stacked). That uses 29% of the 28.4 m³ available and weighs about 5,940 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 20ft reefer?
Typical inner dimensions are 5,444 mm long, 2,294 mm wide and 2,276 mm high (214.3 × 90.3 × 89.6 in), giving 28.4 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 27,400 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 55-gallon drums weigh?
27 × 220 kg ≈ 5,940 kg, which is 22% of the 27,400 kg payload — so this load is limited by space, not weight.
How was this number calculated?
By running the Cubestow 3D load-planning engine on the exact dimensions above, allowing rotation on the floor plane only, no stacking and the container's payload limit, then re-validating the plan for overlaps, support and weight. Real loads leave room for dunnage, door clearance and uneven cartons, so treat the figure as the practical maximum.