How Many Gallons in a Barrel of Oil?

Quick Answer

There are 42 US gallons in a barrel of oil.

1 barrel (oil) = 42 US gallons

Understanding the Conversion

One standard barrel of crude oil equals exactly 42 US gallons or approximately 159 liters. This standard was established by US oil producers in 1866. Note that other industries use different barrel sizes: a beer barrel is 31 gallons, and a UK barrel is 36 imperial gallons.

Formula

1 barrel (oil) = 42 US gallons

Common Examples

DescriptionValue
A barrel of crude oil42 gallons (159 liters)
10 barrels of oil420 gallons
Half a barrel21 gallons

Quick Reference Table

Use this table for quick conversions between barrel and gallons:

barrelgallons
142
284
5210
10420
251,050
502,100
1004,200

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Gallons in a Barrel of Oil?

There are 42 US gallons in a barrel of oil. One standard barrel of crude oil equals exactly 42 US gallons or approximately 159 liters. This standard was established by US oil producers in 1866. Note that other industries use different barrel sizes: a beer barrel is 31 gallons, and a UK barrel is 36 imperial gallons.

What is the formula to convert barrel to gallons?

The formula is: 1 barrel (oil) = 42 US gallons. To convert, multiply the number of barrels by 42 to get the equivalent in gallons.

How do I convert gallons to barrel?

To convert gallons to barrel, divide the number of gallons by 42. For example, 210 gallons equals 5 barrels.

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