As a rule of thumb, one gallon of diesel fuel weighs 7-7.1 pounds. The density of the most common (D2 or #2) diesel fuel is 0.85 g/ml, which converts to 7.1 pounds per gallon.
But if you don’t want to bother doing the calculations, this post is for you.
For your convenience, we at PowerSportsGuide have listed the conversion number in one chart!
What is the Standard Weight for Diesel?
The phrase “diesel” refers to any type of diesel fuel, but it’s most commonly used for the commercially-available diesel fuel. This diesel fuel is specifically formulated for vehicles powered by compression ignition engines.
Based on their grades, diesel fuels are categorized into different classes, set up by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International.
In the U.S., the most commonly marketed diesel fuel is labeled as D2 (a.k.a. diesel #2, or grade 2 diesel), but you can also find two other types, D1 and D4 diesel in the marketplace.
These categories describe the fuels’ density and viscosity; the higher the number, the less viscous the fuel.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about these in detail!
Weight of D1 Diesel (#1) Fuel
D1 or “#1 grade diesel” is the most vicious diesel fuel commercially available in the U.S.
In terms of its chemical composition, this fuel is closer to kerosene and has fewer energy components than its heavier counterparts. Since paraffin has been removed from its components, it provides less protection for the fuel pump and seals.
On the other hand, the absence of paraffin allows D1 diesel to remain much more viscous in cold weather.
This type of fuel is commonly used in off-road vehicles, tractors, snow groomers, and other utility vehicles.
One of the most well-known D1 diesel fuels is probably “red diesel,” which is more expensive than the regular D2 diesel and not street legal due to a different taxation.
Weight of D2 Diesel (#2) Fuel
The most common diesel fuel is the diesel D2, or “#2-grade” diesel. The density of D2 diesel is 0.849 g/ml at 59°F, translating to a weight of 7.09 pounds/gallon. It’s heavier than D1 and lighter than D4 grades.
Based on that, the average weight of D2 diesel in different containers is as follows:
- 1-liter bottle: 1.88 pounds
- 1-quart bottle: 1.78 pounds
- 1- gallon bottle: 7.1 pounds
- 5-quart bottle: 8.88 pounds
- 5-liter bottle: 9.4 pounds
- 5-gallon bottle: 35.5 pounds
- 20-liter container: 37.6 pounds
- 55-gallon drum: 390.5 pounds (+ the weight of the drum)
- 330-gallon IBC tote: 2343 pounds (+ the weight of the tote)
This type of fuel is available at the majority of petrol stations in the U.S. and worldwide.
D2 diesel fuel is primarily recommended for warmer weather due to its higher viscosity.
It’s also much denser as the simpler refining process leaves more carbon and hydrogen molecules in the material. Thanks to this, D2 diesel holds the most energy per pound, which ensures the best available performance.
What’s more, its outstanding lubricant properties protect important engine internals as well as the seals and fuel pumps.
On top of that, D2 diesel is usually the most affordable diesel fuel at gas stations since its refinement is simpler.
Drawbacks?
A definite downside of D2 diesel is that it is prone to becoming a gel at lower temperatures. This can make the engines hard to start and run during winter, causing mand headaches.
To get the best of both worlds, 1D and 2D diesel fuels are sometimes mixed to get a decent winter fuel.
Weight of D4 Diesel (#4) Fuel
D4 Diesel is the heaviest, most viscous type of diesel fuel available. The density of D4 diesel is about 0.959 g/ml at 59°F, which is equivalent to 8 pounds per gallon.
D4 diesel is typically used in low and medium-speed engines that run at a relatively constant speed.
You can find these power sources in, for example, generators and locomotives.
EN 590 Diesel Weight
EN 590 is a European standard for diesel fuel set by the European Standards Organization.
The EN 590 standard was established in 2005 and requires the density of diesel fuel to be within a certain range of 0.82-0.845 g/ml. If we do the math, one gallon of EN 590 diesel fuel weighs about 6.8-7.05 pounds per gallon.
Diesel Weight per Gallon Charts
For your convenience, we’ve done the math and listed the most common conversion numbers at 59°F into this diesel weight per gallon chart:
| Gallons of #2 Diesel | Weight (lbs) |
| 1 gallon | 7.1 lbs |
| 2 gallons | 14.2 lbs |
| 3 gallons | 21.3 lbs |
| 4 gallons | 28.4 lbs |
| 5 gallons | 35.5 lbs |
| 6 gallons | 42.6 lbs |
| 7 gallons | 50 lbs |
| 8 gallons | 57 lbs |
| 9 gallons | 64 lbs |
| 10 gallons | 71 lbs |
| 15 gallons | 107 lbs |
| 20 gallons | 142 lbs |
| 25 gallons | 178 lbs |
| 30 gallons | 213 lbs |
| 35 gallons | 249 lbs |
| 40 gallons | 284 lbs |
| 45 gallons | 320 lbs |
| 50 gallons | 355 lbs |
| 60 gallons | 426 lbs |
| 70 gallons | 497 lbs |
| 80 gallons | 568 lbs |
| 90 gallons | 639 lbs |
| 100 gallons | 710 lbs |
| 150 gallons | 1065 lbs |
| 200 gallons | 1420 lbs |
| 250 gallons | 1775 lbs |
| 300 gallons | 2130 lbs |
| 350 gallons | 2485 lbs |
| 400 gallons | 2840 lbs |
| 450 gallons | 3195 lbs |
| 500 gallons | 3550 lbs |
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only! Diesel weight varies depending on many factors like its components and temperature.
Takeaway – FAQs About Diesel Weight
What is the standard density of diesel?
The density of ordinary D2 or #2 grade diesel fuel is 0.85 g/ml at 59°F. In contrast, the density of D4 diesel is 0.96 g/ml, and the European EN 590 standard requires the density of diesel fuels to fall into the range of 0.82-0.845 g/ml.
How is Diesel Weight Calculated?
To calculate the weight of (D2) diesel, just multiply its quantity in gallons by 7.1. Keep in mind that it only results in an estimate, as the exact weight depends on certain factors such as storage temperature.
What is the weight of one liter of diesel?
One liter of diesel fuel weighs 1.88 pounds or 0.85 kilograms.
What does a full tank of diesel weigh?
Considering that the average gas tank sizes of cars and trucks fall into the range of 12-40 gallons, a full tank of diesel fuel can weigh anywhere from 85 – 285 pounds.
How much does a 50-gallon drum of diesel weigh?
Since the average weight of diesel fuel is about 7.1 pounds per gallon, you can expect a 50-gallon drum of diesel to weigh about 355 pounds.
Which is heavier, diesel or water?
Water is denser than diesel since its density is about 1 g/ml, while the density of the average diesel fuel is about 0.85 g/ml.
Does diesel weigh more than gasoline?
Diesel is heavier than gasoline due to its higher density, but the difference is not significant. One gallon of gasoline weighs about 6.1 pounds, while one gallon of diesel weighs 7.1 pounds. In a 20-gallon fuel tank, the difference would be only 20 pounds.
Is diesel heavier than kerosene?
Yes, diesel is slightly heavier than kerosene since the average density of the latter is about 0.78-0.82 g/ml, while the density of diesel fuels ranges from 0.82 up to 0.96 g/ml.
What does 1 gallon of diesel weigh?
One gallon of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 7.1 pounds.
What do 2 gallons of diesel weigh?
Two gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 14.2 pounds.
What do 3 gallons of diesel weigh?
Three gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 21.3 pounds.
What do 4 gallons of diesel weigh?
Four gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 28.4 pounds.
What do 5 gallons of diesel weigh?
Five gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 35.5 pounds.
What do 6 gallons of diesel weigh?
Six gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 42.6 pounds.
What do 7 gallons of diesel weigh?
Seven gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 49.7 pounds.
What do 8 gallons of diesel weigh?
Eight gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 56.8 pounds.
What do 9 gallons of diesel weigh?
Nine gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 63.9 pounds.
What do 10 gallons of diesel weigh?
Ten gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 71 pounds.
What do 20 gallons of diesel weigh?
Twenty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 142 pounds.
What do 30 gallons of diesel weigh?
Thirty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 213 pounds.
What do 40 gallons of diesel weigh?
Forty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 284 pounds.
What do 42 gallons of diesel weigh?
Forty two gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 298.2 pounds.
What do 50 gallons of diesel weigh?
Fifty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 355 pounds.
What do 55 gallons of diesel weigh?
Fifty five gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 390.5 pounds.
What do 60 gallons of diesel weigh?
Sixty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 426 pounds.
What do 70 gallons of diesel weigh?
Seventy gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 497 pounds.
What do 75 gallons of diesel weigh?
Seventy five gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 532.5 pounds.
What do 80 gallons of diesel weigh?
Eighty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 568 pounds.
What do 90 gallons of diesel weigh?
Ninety gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 639 pounds.
What do 100 gallons of diesel weigh?
One hundred gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 710 pounds.
What do 120 gallons of diesel weigh?
One hundred and twenty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 852 pounds.
What do 150 gallons of diesel weigh?
One hundred and fifty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 1065 pounds.
What do 200 gallons of diesel weigh?
Two hundred gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 1420 pounds.
What do 250 gallons of diesel weigh?
Two hundred and fifty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 1775 pounds.
What do 300 gallons of diesel weigh?
Three hundred gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 2130 pounds.
What do 330 gallons of diesel weigh?
Three hundred and thirty gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 2343 pounds.
What do 400 gallons of diesel weigh?
Four hundred gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 2840 pounds.
What do 500 gallons of diesel weigh?
Five hundred gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 3550 pounds.
What do 600 gallons of diesel weigh?
Six hundred gallons of (D2) diesel fuel weighs about 4260 pounds.
References:
https://kendrickoil.com/understanding-differences-diesel-fuel-grades/
https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/blog/the-different-types-of-diesel-fuel
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fuels-densities-specific-volumes-d_166.html
