The weight of transmission fluids is about to 7-7.5 pounds per gallon, which is equal to 0.84-0.9 g/ml. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF) are typically slightly lighter than their manual brothers (MTF).
If you want to drill into the topic, keep reading. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!
What is Transmission Fluid?
You can find many different fluids in a modern car; one of them is transmission fluid, which is often referred to as transmission oil or gear oil. As the name suggests, this fluid is used in the transmission of vehicles and machines.
Although the main role of transmission fluid is lubrication, it can also act as a hydraulic fluid in automatic transmissions. What’s more, transmission fluid transfers contaminants away and cools down the system.
Transmission fluids are made of mineral or synthetic oils and contain various additives that provide the fluid with different properties.
Transmission oils can be divided into two major groups, manual transmission fluids (MTF) and automatic transmission fluids (ATF).
Let’s take a closer look at each!
The Viscosity of Transmission Fluids
It’s safe to say that transmission fluids are virtually thin hydraulic oils.
As a rule of thumb, the viscosity of transmission fluids falls into a range of 0.84-0.9 g/ml at 59° F (15°C). Automatic transmission fluids (ATF) are thinner than their manual counterparts; these oils have a density of about 0.84-0.87 g/ml. In contrast, the density of manual transmission fluids (MTF) ranges from about 0.86 up to 0.9 g/ml.
Some of the most common manual transmission fluids are as follows:
- 75W-90 Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.865
- SAE 80W Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.883
- SAE 80W-90 Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.889
- SAE 90 Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.895
Here’s a list of some popular automatic transmission fluids:
- SAE 75W-80 Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.86
- SAE 10W Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.863
- SAE 50 Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.877
- SAE 20W Density @ 59° F, g/ml: 0.88
(These lists are just for informational purposes! Always refer to your vehicle’s operator’s manual for the proper type of transmission fluid!)
How Much Does a Gallon of Transmission Fluid Weigh?
Generally speaking, one gallon of transmission fluid weighs about 7-7.5 pounds at 59°F. Mineral-oil-based fluids are slightly heavier than their synthetic counterparts.
The weight of one gallon of automatic transmission fluid typically ranges from 7-.7.25 pounds, while manual transmission fluids weigh about 7.25.-7.5 pounds per gallon.
Please consider these numbers as ballpark figures since the weight of transmission fluids depends on many factors.
Transmission Fluid Weight Charts
Transmission Fluid Comparison Chart
As a reference, we’ve compiled the weight-per-gallon figures of some popular transmission fluids into one chart:
| Oil Type | SG @ 60°F | Density (lbs/gal) |
| Transmax DEXRON®-VI MERCON® LV | 0.841 | 7.01 |
| Mobil 1™ Synthetic ATF | 0.846 | 7.06 |
| Mobil Delvac™ 1 Transmission Fluid V30 | 0.85 | 7.09 |
| DEXRON III / MERCON | 0.86 | 7.17 |
| Phillips 66® Type F ATF | 0.864 | 7.21 |
| Champion GL 4 SAE 90 | 0.892 | 7.44 |
This chart is just for informational purposes only!
Transmission Fluid Weight-Per-Gallon Chart
Also, we’ve listed the most common conversion numbers in this transmission fluid weight-per-gallon chart:
| Volume (US gal.) | Weight (lbs) |
| 0.25 gal. | 1.8-1.9 lbs |
| 0.5 gal. | 3.5-3.8 lbs |
| 0.75 gal. | 5.3-5.6 lbs |
| 1 gal. | 7-7.5 lbs |
| 1.5 gal. | 10.5-11.3 lbs |
| 2 gal. | 14-15 lbs |
| 3 gal. | 21-23 lbs |
| 4 gal. | 28-30 lbs |
| 5 gal. | 35-38 lbs |
| 6 gal. | 42-45 lbs |
| 7 gal. | 49-53 lbs |
| 8 gal. | 56-60 lbs |
| 9 gal. | 63-68 lbs |
| 10 gal. | 70-75 lbs |
| 20 gal. | 140-150 lbs |
| 30 gal. | 210-225 lbs |
| 40 gal. | 280-300 lbs |
| 42 gal. | 294-315 lbs |
| 50 gal. | 350-375 lbs |
| 55 gal. | 385-413 lbs |
| 60 gal. | 420-450 lbs |
| 70 gal. | 490-525 lbs |
| 80 gal. | 560-600 lbs |
| 90 gal. | 630-675 lbs |
| 100 gal. | 700-750 lbs |
| 200 gal. | 1400-1500 lbs |
| 250 gal. | 1750-1875 lbs |
| 300 gal. | 2100-2250 lbs |
| 330 gal. | 2310-2475 lbs |
| 400 gal. | 2800-3000 lbs |
| 500 gal. | 3500-3750 lbs |
This chart is just for informational purposes only! Density may vary depending on the type, the manufacturer, and the temperature.
Takeaways – FAQs About Transmission Fluids
What is transmission fluid?
Transmission fluids are special hydraulic oils formulated for the transmissions of vehicles and machinery. The main role of this fluid is to lubricate the transmission, but it also acts as a hydraulic fluid and coolant.
What is the typical viscosity of automatic transmission fluid?
Some typical viscosities of automatic transmission fluids are as follows:
- SAE 75W-80
- SAE 10W
- SAE 50
- SAE 20W
What is the typical viscosity of manual transmission fluid?
Some typical viscosities of manual transmission fluids are as follows:
- 75W-90
- SAE 80W
- SAE 80W-90
- SAE 90
What is the density of transmission fluids?
Generally speaking, the density of transmission fluids ranges from 0.84 up to 0.9 g/ml at 59°F (15°C).
What weight is transmission fluid per gallon?
Transmission fluids typically weigh 7-7.5 pounds per gallon at 59°F (15°C).
Which is heavier water or transmission fluid?
Transmission fluid is lighter than water (0.84-0.9 < 1 g/ml) so these fluids float on the surface of water.
How much does 1 gallon of transmission fluid weigh?
One gallon of transmission fluid weighs about 7-7.5 pounds.
How much do 2 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
2 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 14-15 pounds.
How much do 3 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
3 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 21-22.5 pounds.
How much do 4 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
4 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 28-30 pounds.
How much do 5 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
5 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 35-37.5 pounds.
How much do 6 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
6 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 42-45 pounds.
How much do 7 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
7 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 49-52.5 pounds.
How much do 8 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
8 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 56-60 pounds.
How much do 9 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
9 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 63-68 pounds.
How much do 10 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
10 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 70-75 pounds.
How much do 20 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
20 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 140-150 pounds.
How much do 30 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
30 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 210-225 pounds.
How much do 40 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
40 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 280-300 pounds.
How much do 42 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
42 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 294-315 pounds.
How much do 50 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
50 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 350-375 pounds.
How much do 55 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
55 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 385-413 pounds.
How much do 60 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
60 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 420-450 pounds.
How much do 70 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
70 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 490-525 pounds.
How much do 80 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
80 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 560-600 pounds.
How much do 90 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
90 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 630-675 pounds.
How much do 100 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
100 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 700-750 pounds.
How much do 120 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
120 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 840-900 pounds.
How much do 150 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
150 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 1050-1125 pounds.
How much do 200 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
200 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 1400-1500 pounds.
How much do 250 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
250 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 1750-1875 pounds.
How much do 300 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
300 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 2100-2250 pounds.
How much do 330 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
330 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 2310-2475 pounds.
How much do 400 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
400 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 2800-3000 pounds.
How much do 500 gallons of transmission fluid weigh?
500 gallons of transmission fluid weigh about 3500-3750 pounds.
References:
https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/home/motor-oil-and-fluids/transmission-fluid-types.html
https://amsoil.eu/blog/automatic-transmission-fluid-vs-manual-transmission-fluid-whats-the-differe/
