A 44 gallon drum (known as a 55 gallon drum in the United States) is a cylindrical metal container (drum) with a nominal capacity of 44 imperial gallons, 55 U.S. gallons or 205 litre. The exact capacity varies with wall thickness and other factors.

The drums are typically made of steel with a ribbed outer to improve mechanical durability. They are often moved by tilting, then rolling along the base, which is designed especially for that purpose. The drums are commonly used for transporting oils and fuels, but can be used for storing various chemicals as well. There are 44 gallon plastic drums on the market, but they are less common, and do not have ribbing along the side. 572mm (22.5 inches) is the standard diameter for a 200L drum.

In the past, hazardous waste was often placed in drums of this size and stored in open fields or buried. Over time, some drums would corrode and leak. As a result these drums have become iconic of polution problems, even though they have numerous legitimate uses and are ubiquitous in commerce.

See Also

• Barrel (unit)