How Much Does a Gallon of Diesel Weigh?

From the massively sized trucks to motorsport vehicles often used in truck racing and off-road trials, diesel keeps their engines running. Australians call it distillate, while Indonesians refer to it as solar.

There’re more variations of what diesel is called in different parts of the globe, just as there are different measurement units. Although many countries switched to measuring diesel fuel by liter, other places, as well as some experienced and professional mechanics, still go for the gallon measurement.

Now when you ask, “How much does a gallon of diesel weigh?”Most times, when this question comes up, you may assume that gallon has a specific number to measure its value; unfortunately, it doesn’t. It’s more of fuel grade and different measurement units defined.

So, here’s a more straightforward answer to your question on “how much does a gallon of fuel weigh?”: The imperial and US gallon weigh 8.19-9.61 lbs and 7.93-9.32 lbs, respectively. However, it’s recommended that you use the latter gallon for your measurements.

This guide is detail-packed to answer your questions that relate to “how much does diesel weigh?”. So, enough of the overview, let’s get to the more exciting parts.

What is the weight of diesel fuel?

Diesel fuel can weigh around 7lbs approximately. This weight can vary depending on the geography of the measurement unit. For instance, it will be lesser than 7lbs per gallon in the United States and a little higher than 7lbs in Cannada.  Nevertheless, the differences are that 7 pounds are minor, so we go with 7lbs/gallon for an approximate number. This means diesel weight per litre will be about 3.053 to 3.1751.

What is the diesel fuel weight of a full tank?

Note that diesel fuel tanks for trucks do come in different sizes, but they often hold diesel fuel of 125 – 300 gallons. To balance the truck weight, the tank is usually divided into two to distribute the fuel between the tanks and help the tank balance on both sides of the truck.

Since diesel weighs approximately 7lbs/gallon, a full tank will weigh about 875-2100lbs. Evaluating this will also help you answer a question like “how much does a diesel truck weigh?”.

How much does a gallon of diesel weigh?

A gallon of diesel can weigh up to 7lb. However, the weight per gallon is a bit more than this in Canada and less in the US, but for the sake of explanation and better understanding, let’s make 7 pounds our random measurement per gallon.

You should also know that the weight of diesel in kg can be about 875.

Considering the different types of diesel available, as well as the fluctuating density of each one of them, it’s a bit complex to generalize the measurement of diesel per gallon. Here are four critical factors that also affect the weight of diesel.

Unit of measurement

One of the significant factors of diesel fuel weight is the measurement unit. Considering the different units of measurement available, it’s the reason there’s fluctuation in determining the weight of diesel.

For now, three different units of measurement are used in weighing diesel, which includes US gallon, US dry gallon, and imperial gallon. Each of these gallons usually weighs about 3.76L, 4.40L, and 4.55L, respectively. The imperial measurement unit weighs the most. Still, the international standard of measurement is US gallon.

Temperature

You should know that diesel fuel can be affected by temperature or changes in weather. For instance, at the average temperature of a room, diesel volume can fluctuate below 7lb per gallon. This is one of the reasons diesel measurement is often under the international standard temperature of 59°F or 15°C.

This means that the fuel thickness will increase as the temperature decreases, increasing the overall weight and clogging the fuel lines. For instance, at -19° to 15° centigrade, the diesel fuel becomes thicker and heavier.

Fuel grade

The higher the cetane number, the higher the API gravity and the lower the fuel density. The level of fuel cetane affects ignition, as well as horsepower and fuel management.

For instance, since the lowest rating of cetane in Europe is much higher compared to other countries, the weight range in the U.S will be lower (about 6.95 to 7.04lbs).

API and gravity

According to the American Petroleum Institute, API and gravity are systems used to evaluate petroleum weight and convert diesel volume, usually to U.S gallons. Also, they are standard systems for testing diesel energy levels and quality.

Sulfur substances like ULSD can also blend with diesel, reducing its weight compared to biodiesel. In all, specific gravity can be about 0.82 – 0.90, which makes the weight per gallon range from 6.85lbs – 7.5lbs.

Now that you understand the factors that affect the weight of diesel and you have answers to the question “how much does diesel weigh,” let’s cut into the more significant piece.

Different Types of Diesel:

Fuel specialists and veteran engineers have said the weight of diesel is affected by factors like the type of blend, among many others. Since the focus of this article is to help you understand how diesel fuel is measured and the specific weight of a gallon, it’s essential for you to know the types of diesel fuel and what affects their weights.

Diesel fuel is classified into three:1D, 2D, and 4D, specifically. Their differences are determined by their thickness, the range of boiling point, pour point, as well as the rating of their cetane. Here’s a detailed fuel weight per gallon chart considering their difference in density.

1D Diesel

1D is usually the best choice for cold weather, considering its reduced viscosity. It’s less thick and a bit similar chemically to kerosene, which includes the red diesel – a diesel specifically for winter use for off-road vehicles and tractors. It is made red so that anyone can easily differentiate it from the regular diesel.

2D Diesel

This type of diesel is often used in warm or average weather conditions considering its higher viscosity than 1D. However, sometimes drivers mix it with 1D to make it potent for winter. Types of 2D diesel include petroleum diesel, synthetic diesel, biodiesel, green diesel (also known as hydrogen oil), marine diesel, and Ultra-low diesel blended with sulfur.

4D Diesel

#4 or 4D fuel is usually used for vehicle engines of average or low speed, as well as stationary units, such as electricity generators and railroad engines. 4Ds possess a much higher density which could increase their weight to around 59.9lb/ft3 compared to 2D or 1D diesel.

Does the Weight of Gas Change Depend on the Weather?

Taking that weather can determine temperature; the temperature can also affect gas weight. Let me explain. Since density is affected by temperature, in a system where it’s opened, and the molecules are apart. This also relates to the increase in density and weight when the temperature is reduced, and the molecules come together.

UK Imperial vs. US Gallon Weight: Whats the Difference?

Since an imperial gallon of about 4.55L weighs more than a US gallon of 3.67L, an imperial gallon will be equal to an approximate calculation of 1.2 US gallons. This means that a US gallon of diesel will be about 16% lighter compared to the imperial gallon.

FAQs:

Q: Does diesel weigh more than gas?

The weight of diesel is always heavier compared to gas. Diesel has molecules larger and heavier than gasoline, which is why gasoline is lighter than diesel. Note here that we’re referring to #2 diesel fuel, and it could be off-road or on-road.

Gas also referred to as gasoline, is less heavy compared to diesel. Considering that anyone could accidentally mix the two, it’s essential to know the differences between them.

Q: How much does #2 diesel weigh per gallon?

#2 or 2D diesel, as it’s called, can weigh between 6.85lbs-7.5lbs for a gallon. Considering specific gravity, it can be about 0.876 to 0.802. 2D diesel fuel is measured to be about 53 pounds or 7.09lbs per gallon, specifically at a temperature of 59°F.

At places such as the Mid-Atlantic and New England states, #2 diesel or 2D fuel weights about 6.96 pounds and 6.91 pounds at a temperature of 59°F – 76°F. This means a gallon of diesel can weigh around 7.05 pounds at a temperature of 32°F.

Q: What does #1 diesel weigh?

#1 or 1D diesel can weigh up to 875 kilograms and 7.30lbs. This is because of its lesser viscosity than the others, making it less thick like kerosene.

With the level of #1 diesel’s viscosity mentioned earlier, it’s most suitable during cold weather like winter. The #1 fuel density is about 54.6 pounds at 59 degrees Fahrenheit and 7.30lbs when converted to lbs/gallon – which is a little more than #2 diesel.

Q: How many gallons of diesel does a tanker truck hold?

Large tankers usually have a high capacity to hold about  5500 to 11,600 diesel gallons compared to the smaller tankers with a maximum ability to hold only 1,000 – 3,000  diesel fuel gallons.

As for most trucks in the united states, their weight is regulated by vehicle max gross weight of 80,000 pounds. Nevertheless, fuel density is essential in evaluating the maximum capacity of a tanker truck.

Q: What’s heavier water or diesel?

Water is heavier than diesel. Since water has a higher density than diesel, water will go down to the bottom when it mixes with diesel.

When evaluating the weight of both liquids, water tends to weigh about 8.33 pounds/gallon, while diesel weighs approximately 7 pounds/gallon. In other words, a gallon of diesel is about 10% – 17% less than a gallon of water.

Final Words

The weight of diesel can be measured considering the factors explained above in this guide, and the unit of measurement will vary depending on the geographical location.

Although we’ve solved the more significant problem and answered your question on “How much does a gallon of diesel weigh” still, keep in mind that the imperial gallon is different from the US gallon and the US dry gallon. If you need to evaluate your diesel weight, I recommend using a diesel weight calculator to ease and speed up the process.

Learn more: 

• Best Gas Cans Review and Complete Guide
• How To Clean A Gas Can?
• How to Dispose of Old Gasoline?