---
title: "Oil drum vs propane tank — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Oil drum is somewhat greater than propane tank on weight — about 1.2×. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/oil-drum-vs-propane-tank/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Oil drum vs Propane tank

**Oil drum vs propane tank: Oil drum is larger on weight**

Oil drum is somewhat greater than propane tank on weight — about 1.2×.

An oil drum and a propane tank can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Oil drum | Propane tank |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 9–25 kg | 8.2–30 kg |
| Height | 84–89 cm | 30–75 cm |
| Typical cost | 35–200 $ | 35–120 $ |
| Volume | 208 L | 4.7–38 L |

## What the numbers say

- Oil drum is somewhat greater than propane tank on weight — about 1.2×.
- Oil drum is 1.8× propane tank on height.
- Oil drum is somewhat greater than propane tank on typical cost — about 1.3×.
- Oil drum is 12× propane tank on volume.

*Weight compared.*

- Oil drum: 9–25 kg
- Propane tank: 8.2–30 kg

## Oil drum

A cylindrical steel or plastic drum holding 55 US gallons, the standard industrial shipping container for liquids.

## Propane tank

A steel cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas, filled to about 80% of its water capacity to leave room for vapour expansion.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, oil drum or propane tank?

Oil drum is somewhat greater than propane tank on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do oil drums and propane tanks compare on height?

Oil drum: 84–89 cm. Propane tank: 30–75 cm. Oil drum is 1.8× propane tank on height.

### How do oil drums and propane tanks compare on typical cost?

Oil drum: 35–200 $. Propane tank: 35–120 $. Oil drum is somewhat greater than propane tank on typical cost — about 1.3×.

## Related pages

- [Propane tank vs shopping cart](https://atoneplace.net/vs/propane-tank-vs-shopping-cart/)
- [Oil drum vs shopping cart](https://atoneplace.net/vs/oil-drum-vs-shopping-cart/)
- [Office chair vs propane tank](https://atoneplace.net/vs/office-chair-vs-propane-tank/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)