Keg Sizes
Pick a keg to see its volume, servings, dimensions and weight, or read the full chart. A dash means no public page was found with that figure.
How to use the Keg Sizes tool
- Find the “Keg” selector above the results on this page.
- Open the selector and choose one of the seven kegs, from “Half barrel (full size)” to “Mini keg (5 liter)”. The output shows that keg alone.
- Read “Volume”. It is given in gallons, liters and fluid ounces.
- Read “Servings”. Each keg shows a whole number of cups for 12 fl oz and for 16 fl oz.
- Read “Height × diameter”, given in inches.
- Read “Weight”. The full weight and empty weight appear when a public page gives them. The mini keg has no published weight, so it shows a dash. The half barrel shows 160 and 165 lb, because two sources differ.
- Read “Sources” to see which pages the row’s figures came from.
- Scan the table below to compare all seven kegs side by side. Each row lists its own sources.
- Read the warnings under the output. Dimensions and weights vary by maker and by keg design, and published figures are rounded. Use them for planning, and measure before you build a space or lift one.
The presets are quick shortcuts. Use “Half barrel”, “Quarter barrel”, “Sixth barrel” or “Mini keg” to jump straight to one of four sizes, then return to the selector for the others.
What is a keg capacity?
Keg capacity is the amount of liquid a keg holds, usually stated in gallons, liters or fluid ounces. Most sizes on this page are a fraction of the US beer barrel, which is 31 gallons under the federal definition in 27 CFR 25.11. Gallons convert at 3.785411784 liters and 128 fluid ounces per US gallon.
The half barrel is half of that, so it holds 15.5 gallons, or 58.67 liters, or 1,984 fl oz. The quarter barrel and slim quarter are each a quarter of the barrel, at 7.75 gallons (29.34 liters, 992 fl oz). The sixth barrel, also called a sixtel, is one sixth of the barrel, at 31 ÷ 6 = 5.167 gallons (19.56 liters, 661.33 fl oz).
Not every keg follows the barrel. The 50-liter keg holds 13.21 gallons (1,690.7 fl oz). The 5-gallon ball-lock holds 640 fl oz (18.93 liters). The mini keg holds 5 liters (1.321 gallons, 169.07 fl oz).
Servings are whole cups. A half barrel gives 165 cups of 12 fl oz or 124 cups of 16 fl oz. The mini keg gives 14 and 10 cups.
What are half barrel keg dimensions and weights?
A half barrel keg measures 23 3/8 inches high by 16 1/8 inches in diameter. These figures come from a keg retailer size chart, cross-checked against a second retailer. The quarter barrel is shorter at 13 7/8 by 16 1/8 inches, while the sixth barrel is 23 3/8 by 9 1/4 inches.
Weights differ by source. The full half barrel weighs 160 lb according to the retailer and 165 lb according to the Brewers Association. Both figures are shown on the page. The empty half barrel weighs 30 lb on the retailer chart. The Brewers Association range for refillable kegs runs from 20 liters (5.16 gallons) to 60 liters (15.5 gallons). Its gallon figures are rounded.
Where sources disagree, the tool shows both figures and adds a warning that names the disagreement. The half barrel full weight is the main case, and the mini keg gallon figure is the other. The tool does not choose a winner. Dimensions and weights also vary by maker and are rounded, so check the source and the manufacturer’s listing before you rely on a single number.
Sources (checked 15 October 2026): nist.gov · law.cornell.edu · brewersassociation.org · cdn.brewersassociation.org · kegworks.com · kegco.com
Worked examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| Half barrel (full size) | 15.5 US gal = 58.67 L = 1,984 fl oz |
| Quarter barrel (pony or stubby) | 7.75 US gal = 29.34 L = 992 fl oz |
| Slim quarter (tall quarter) | 7.75 US gal = 29.34 L = 992 fl oz |
| Sixth barrel (sixtel) | 5.167 US gal = 19.56 L = 661.33 fl oz |
Calculated by the tool above; open it with the same values to see each step.
Frequently asked questions
How many gallons is a half barrel keg?
A half barrel holds 15.5 gallons, which is half of a 31-gallon US beer barrel. In metric units, that is 58.67 liters.
How many servings are in a half barrel?
A half barrel gives 165 whole cups at 12 fl oz and 124 whole cups at 16 fl oz. Servings are counted in whole cups only, so any leftover liquid is not included. For other cup sizes or a foam allowance, use the beers-in-a-keg page.
Why do the sixth barrel gallon figures differ?
Sources list the sixth barrel as 5.16 gallons because the figure is rounded. Calculated from the 31-gallon barrel, it is 31 ÷ 6 = 5.167 gallons.
Why do the mini keg gallon figures differ?
One retailer lists the mini keg as 1.32 gallons and another lists it as 1.75 gallons. Both give 5 liters, and the tool uses 5 liters.
Is the full weight the same as the keg’s weight?
No. The full weight includes the beer, while the empty weight is the keg alone. For example, the empty half barrel weighs 30 lb on the retailer chart.
Are these sizes and weights exact?
No. Dimensions and weights vary by maker, and the published numbers are rounded. Use them as guides for planning, and check the manufacturer’s listing for the keg you plan to buy or rent. Measure before you build a space or lift one.
Related tools
- Dry Ice Calculator: Use it to work out how much dry ice you need for a cooler or keg setup.
- How Long Does Dry Ice Last?: Read this when you want to know how long dry ice keeps a cooler cold.
- How Many Beers in a Keg?: Use it when you want a beer count rather than a volume in gallons or liters.
- How Much Does a Keg Weigh?: Read it for a focused look at full and empty keg weights.
- How Much Is a Keg of Beer?: Use it when you are comparing keg options by what they cost.
- Kegs and Coolers: the hub page for all keg and dry ice tools.
- Restaurant Costs: other cost tools for a bar or restaurant.
- Food Temperatures and Holding: pages on keeping food cold.