Enter the weight and either the density (in any supported unit) or API gravity into the calculator to convert between weight and US oil barrels (1 bbl = 42 US gallons).

Tons To Barrels Calculator

Tons → Barrels
Barrels → Tons

Pick the commodity, enter the amount, press Calculate.

Tons to Barrels Formula

The following formula is used to convert US short tons to US oil barrels (42 US gal) when density is in lb/US gal.

B = \frac{T * 2000}{D *42}

Variables:

  • B is the number of barrels
  • T is the weight in US short tons (2,000 lb)
  • D is the density of the material in pounds per US gallon (lb/US gal)
  • 2000 is the number of pounds in one US short ton
  • 42 is the number of US gallons in one (oil) barrel

To convert US short tons to barrels, divide the weight in US short tons multiplied by 2000 (the number of pounds in a US short ton) by the product of the density of the material in pounds per US gallon and 42 (the number of US gallons in an oil barrel).

US Short Tons to US Barrels Conversion Table (Crude oil, ρ ≈ 0.850 kg/L ≈ 7.094 lb/gal)
Tons (Short) Barrels (US, 42 gal)
1/160.420
0.839
1/61.119
¼1.678
2.238
2.517
½3.356
4.196
4.475
¾5.035
5.874
16.713
8.391
1⅓8.951
10.069
11.748
213.426
16.782
320.139
426.852
* Rounded to 3 decimals. Assumes crude oil density ≈ 0.850 kg/L (≈ 7.094 lb/gal). At this density: 1 short ton ≈ 6.713 barrels; 1 barrel = 42 US gallons.

What is a Barrel?

A barrel is a unit of volume used in the oil industry to measure the quantity of crude oil and other petroleum products. One barrel is equivalent to 42 US gallons. However, the term “barrel” can also be used in other contexts to refer to different volumes depending on the material being measured.

How to Calculate Tons to Barrels?

The following steps outline how to calculate the number of barrels from tons.


  1. First, determine the weight in US short tons (T).
  2. Next, determine the density of the material (D) in pounds per US gallon (lb/US gal).
  3. Use the formula B = (T * 2000) / (D * 42) to calculate the number of barrels (B).
  4. Finally, enter the values into the calculator to get the result in barrels.

Example Problem :

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Weight in tons (T) = 5 short tons

Density (D) ≈ 8.34 lb/US gallon (water, around 60°F; varies slightly with temperature)