A standard jerry can holds 20 liters, or about 5.3 US gallons. It stands roughly 18 inches tall, 13.5 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide. These jerry can dimensions decide whether the can fits your truck bed, rack, or garage shelf.
This guide covers jerry can sizes by capacity, brand, and material. You get inches, centimeters, full weights, prices, and US safety rules. All specs come from maker and retailer spec sheets checked in September 2026.
Table of Contents
Standard Jerry Can Size and Dimensions Chart
The standard jerry can size is 20 liters (about 5.3 US gallons). Most steel and plastic models stand 18 to 18.5 inches tall, run 13.5 to 14.3 inches long, and measure 6.5 to 6.9 inches wide. Brand and material shift these numbers by an inch or less.
| Can | Capacity | Height | Length | Width | Empty weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Can 5810 (steel) | 20L / 5 gal | 18.25 in (46.4 cm) | 13.5 in (34.3 cm) | 6.5 in (16.5 cm) | 9.69 lb |
| Wavian 20L (steel) | 20L / 5.3 gal | 18.5 in (47 cm) | 13.5 in (34.3 cm) | 6.5 in (16.5 cm) | 11 to 12 lb |
| Scepter MFC (plastic) | 20L / 5.3 gal | 18.3 in (46.5 cm) | 14.3 in (36.3 cm) | 6.9 in (17.5 cm) | 5.7 lb |
| Midwest Can 5110 (plastic, military style) | 5 gal | 16.75 in (42.5 cm) | 13.625 in (34.6 cm) | 7.75 in (19.7 cm) | 3.85 lb |
| Midwest Can 5610 (plastic, two handles) | 5 gal | 14 in (35.6 cm) | 12.5 in (31.8 cm) | 9.75 in (24.8 cm) | 3 lb |
| Wavian 10L (steel) | 10L / 2.6 gal | about 11 in (27.5 cm) | 13.6 in (34.5 cm) | 6.5 in (16.5 cm) | about 7.5 lb |
The Midwest Can 5810 lists 18.25 inches high, 13.5 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide. The Wavian 20L is listed at 18.5 inches high with the same length and width. The Scepter plastic can is a little longer and wider.
What is the diameter of a jerry can? It has none. A jerry can is a flat-sided rectangle, so people who search for jerry can diameter usually want the width, also called depth. On a 20L can, that is 6.5 to 7 inches.
Listings for the same can often differ by about an inch. Measure your own can if space is tight.
Why do “5-gallon” and “20-liter” cans differ? One US gallon equals 3.785 liters. So 20 liters is 5.28 US gallons, and 5 US gallons is 18.9 liters. That is why makers label these cans “5.3 gallon.”
20 Litre and 10 Liter Jerry Can Dimensions
A 20 litre jerry can measures about 47 x 34 x 16.5 cm (18.5 x 13.5 x 6.5 in) in steel. Plastic models run slightly longer and wider. Scepter built its military can to US Army and Canadian Forces needs, and its standard size lets vehicle makers design matching brackets.
Full weight matters as much as size. Gasoline weighs about 6.2 lb per US gallon and diesel about 7.1 lb (source). A full 20L can therefore holds about 33 lb of gasoline or 37.5 lb of diesel. Add the can itself, and a full Wavian weighs about 45 lb. A full Scepter weighs about 39 lb.
A 10 liter jerry can is shorter, not slimmer. The Wavian 10L steel can measures 27.5 cm high, 16.5 cm wide, and 34.5 cm long. That is about 11 x 13.6 x 6.5 inches. It shares the 20L footprint but sits about 7.5 inches lower. The 10L Wavian weighs about 7.5 lb empty. Full of gasoline, it weighs about 24 lb.
Some US listings show the 10L at 11 to 12 inches tall, so allow a small margin. Scepter also sells a 10L (2.5 gal) version. This size suits ATVs, motorcycles, and small generators.
Does a 10L can fit a bracket? Wavian sells a lockable 10L holder that measures about 14 1/8 inches long, 11 3/4 inches high, and 6 5/8 inches wide. Match your mount to the can before you buy.
Metal vs Plastic Jerry Can Dimensions
Metal jerry can dimensions run taller and slimmer than plastic. Steel cans stand about 18.25 to 18.5 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide. Plastic cans are wider at 6.9 to 7.75 inches, and some are shorter.
| Feature | Metal (steel) | Plastic (HDPE) |
|---|---|---|
| Height, 20L | 18.25 to 18.5 in | 16.75 to 18.3 in |
| Width | 6.5 in | 6.9 to 7.75 in |
| Empty weight | 9.7 to 12 lb | 3.85 to 5.7 lb |
| Rust | Needs an inner lining | None |
| Shape | Slim, tall | Wider base |
Wavian builds its cans from 0.9 mm cold-rolled steel with a Rezol lining, a bayonet closure, and a cap locking pin. That lining fights rust inside the can.
Scepter cans use rugged HDPE plastic, and an air pocket at the top lets a full can float. The Scepter fits standard-pattern vehicle brackets. Still, plastic is about 0.4 inch wider than steel, so check the bracket width first.
Jerry Can Sizes Guide: Prices, Colors and Standards
A 20 litre jerry can costs about $45 to $120 new in the USA. Prices below come from September 2026 listings and change often.
| Can | Typical US price |
|---|---|
| Scepter 20L spill-proof plastic (red) | about $46 |
| Scepter 20L military fuel can | about $80 |
| Midwest Can 5 gal steel | $65 to $100 |
| Wavian 10L steel with spout | $90 to $110 |
| Wavian 20L steel with spout | about $110 to $120 |
A Scepter spill-proof 20L can sells for $45.60. The military-style Scepter 20L is $79.99. The Midwest steel can ranges from $64.99 at Menards to $99.99 at a hardware retailer. The Wavian 20L is $119.99. The Wavian 10L is $89.99.
What color jerry can holds gasoline? OSHA requires red safety cans for flammables with a flash point at or below 80°F, plus a yellow marking (Eagle). Yellow for diesel, blue for kerosene, and green for oil are industry habits. Federal rules do not set those other colors.
What is an OSHA safety can? OSHA 1910.106 defines a safety can as an approved container of no more than 5 gallons with a spring-closing lid and spout cover. It must relieve pressure safely in a fire. A 20L can holds slightly more than 5 US gallons, so workplace buyers should read the approval label first.
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Other marks to look for:
- EPA and CARB: Midwest Can says its spill-proof spout meets CARB and EPA rules.
- Military spec: The Scepter MFC meets Mil-C-53109, now CID A-A-59592A.
- DOT: The Midwest 5810 is listed as DOT certified.
Before you buy, run through this checklist:
- Measure your space, then add one inch for the spout and handle.
- Match the can color to the fuel type you store.
- Check the full weight, not only the empty weight.
- Compare the can width with your vehicle bracket.
- Look for EPA, CARB, and DOT marks on the label.
FAQs
What are the dimensions of a 20 litre jerry can?
A steel 20 litre jerry can measures about 18.25 to 18.5 inches tall, 13.5 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide (46 to 47 x 34 x 16.5 cm). The plastic Scepter is 18.3 x 14.3 x 6.9 inches.
What is the standard size of a jerry can?
The standard size is 20 liters, or about 5.3 US gallons. It stands roughly 18 inches tall, 13.5 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide. This size fits most US truck beds, vehicle racks, and shelves.
What are the dimensions of a 10 liter jerry can?
A 10 liter steel jerry can from Wavian measures 27.5 cm high, 34.5 cm long, and 16.5 cm wide. That is about 11 x 13.6 x 6.5 inches. It holds 2.64 gallons and weighs about 7.5 lb empty.
What are the dimensions of a metal jerry can?
The Midwest Can steel model measures 18.25 x 13.5 x 6.5 inches and weighs 9.69 lb. The Wavian steel model measures 18.5 x 13.5 x 6.5 inches and weighs about 11 lb.
What are the dimensions of a 20 litre can?
A 20 litre fuel can is about 18.5 inches tall, 13.5 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide. A Scepter 20L water can is slightly larger at 18.8 x 13.7 x 6.8 inches (47.7 x 34.7 x 17.2 cm).
How much is a 20 litre jerry can?
A new 20 litre jerry can costs about $45 to $120 in the USA. Plastic spill-proof cans start near $46. Steel Wavian cans sell for about $120.
Conclusion
Jerry can dimensions and sizes come down to one core number: 20 liters, about 18.5 x 13.5 x 6.5 inches. Measure your space, check the full weight, and match the can to your fuel and bracket.
Measurement Researcher, Size Comparison Writer & Content Specialist
Timmy Ahad is a dedicated content writer and research specialist at SizesVisualizer.com, where he focuses on creating accurate, easy-to-understand content about measurements, dimensions, size comparisons, and real-world object visualization.
