Barrels to Liters Converter
Instantly convert barrels (bbl) to liters (L) and vice versa. Supports US liquid, US oil, US dry, and UK barrels. Perfect for oil & gas, brewing, shipping, and international volume conversions.
What Is a Barrel?
A barrel (bbl) is a unit of volume used in various industries, with different definitions depending on the context and country. The most common types are:
- US Oil Barrel (42 gal): 158.987294928 L — used globally in the petroleum industry to measure crude oil and petroleum products.
- US Liquid Barrel (31.5 gal): 119.240471 L — used for liquid foodstuffs and beverages.
- US Dry Barrel: 115.628 L — used for dry goods like fruits and grains.
- UK Barrel: 163.66 L — used in the United Kingdom for beer and ale.
The word "barrel" comes from the wooden barrels historically used to store and transport liquids, especially oil. In the oil industry, the unit symbol bbl is standard worldwide.
How Does the Converter Work?
The converter uses the following exact conversion factors:
US Oil Barrel: 1 bbl = 158.987294928 L
US Liquid Barrel: 1 bbl = 119.240471 L
US Dry Barrel: 1 bbl = 115.628 L
UK Barrel: 1 bbl = 163.66 L
To convert bbl to L: Multiply by the liters per barrel.
To convert L to bbl: Divide by the liters per barrel.
Simply select the direction of conversion, choose your barrel type, enter the value, and click Convert. The result will be displayed along with the equivalent in US gallons.
Common Applications
- Oil & Gas Industry: Measuring crude oil production and reserves.
- Brewing: Measuring beer production volumes in UK barrels.
- Shipping & Logistics: Calculating liquid cargo capacities.
- International Trade: Converting between imperial and metric units.
- Everyday Use: Understanding product volumes in different measurement systems.
❓ Barrels to Liters FAQ
How many liters are in a barrel?
It depends on the barrel type: US Oil barrel = 158.99 L, US Liquid barrel = 119.24 L, US Dry barrel = 115.63 L, and UK barrel = 163.66 L.
How many liters are in a US oil barrel?
A US oil barrel contains exactly 158.987294928 liters (42 US gallons).
How many liters are in a US liquid barrel?
A US liquid barrel contains 119.240471 liters (31.5 US gallons).
How many liters are in a UK barrel?
A UK barrel is approximately 163.66 liters (36 imperial gallons).
How do I convert barrels to liters?
Multiply the number of barrels by the liters per barrel for your selected type. For US oil barrels: bbl × 158.9873 = liters.
How do I convert liters to barrels?
Divide the number of liters by the liters per barrel for your selected type. For US oil barrels: L ÷ 158.9873 = bbl.
Why is the oil barrel 42 gallons?
The 42-gallon oil barrel originated in the early Pennsylvania oil fields. A standard wooden barrel held 42 gallons, and this became the industry standard in 1866.
What does "bbl" stand for?
"bbl" is the standard abbreviation for barrel in the oil industry. The double "b" is thought to come from the plural "barrels" or from "blue barrel" (early Standard Oil used blue barrels).
How many gallons are in a barrel?
US Oil barrel = 42 US gallons, US Liquid barrel = 31.5 US gallons, US Dry barrel = 115.6 L (not a gallon-based measure), UK barrel = 36 imperial gallons.
What is the difference between a US barrel and a UK barrel?
A US oil barrel is 42 US gallons (158.99 L). A UK barrel is 36 imperial gallons (163.66 L). They are different sizes because US gallons and imperial gallons are different.
Can I use this converter for beer barrels?
Yes. Select the "UK Barrel" type for British beer barrels, or "US Liquid Barrel" for US beer barrels. Note that beer barrel sizes can vary by region.
Is a barrel of oil the same as a barrel of beer?
No. A US oil barrel is 42 gallons (158.99 L), while a US beer barrel is 31 gallons (117.35 L). A UK beer barrel is 36 imperial gallons (163.66 L). Always check the barrel type.
How accurate is this converter?
This converter uses exact conversion factors for each barrel type. Results are accurate to the number of decimal places you select.
What is the difference between a barrel and a drum?
A barrel is a unit of volume (55 gallons or 208 L for a typical drum). A drum is a physical container, often 55 gallons. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
How many liters are in a barrel of crude oil?
A barrel of crude oil is always 42 US gallons, which equals 158.987294928 liters. This is the standard international measure.
What is the difference between a barrel and a gallon?
A barrel is a larger unit of volume. One US oil barrel = 42 US gallons. One US liquid barrel = 31.5 US gallons. A gallon is a smaller unit used for everyday liquid measurements.