Jerry Can Sizes 6 Surprising Dimensions You’re Probably Guessing Wrong
A standard jerry can holds 20 liters (5.3 gallons) and measures roughly 20 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 7 inches deep but jerry can sizes actually range from compact 5-liter containers to full military-spec steel cans.
Most people picture one uniform red gas can when they hear “jerry can.” In reality, jerry can sizes span several capacities, materials, and shapes depending on whether the can is meant for fuel, water, or off-road storage. A 5-liter camping can looks nothing like a 20-liter NATO steel can once you set them side by side.
This guide breaks down six real-world jerry can sizes with their actual height, width, depth, and capacity including details on plastic vs. metal construction that most articles skip entirely. Whether you’re comparing a 5-gallon jerry can size for your truck bed or a compact water jerry can for a camping trip, you’ll find the exact jerry can dimensions here.
How Big Is a Jerry Can, Really?
Jerry can dimensions depend heavily on capacity and intended use. A fuel-rated steel can built to military standards will differ in wall thickness, cap design, and depth from a lightweight HDPE plastic fuel can sold at a hardware store. Below, we cover six of the most common jerry can sizes people search for, along with conversion charts so you can compare jerry can measurements in inches, centimeters, and millimeters.
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Quick Conversion Table
| Unit | 5L Jerry Can (Height) | 20L Jerry Can (Height) |
| Inches | 11.4 in | 20.3 in |
| Centimeters | 29 cm | 51.5 cm |
| Millimeters | 290 mm | 515 mm |
| Feet | 0.95 ft | 1.69 ft |
Note: Jerry can dimensions in inches and centimeters vary slightly by manufacturer, so treat these as standard approximations rather than exact specifications.
Quick Reference Table
| Jerry Can Size | Approx. Dimensions (H x W x D) | Closeness Score (X/10) | Best Situation/Use |
| 5-Liter Jerry Can | 11.4 x 7.5 x 4 in | 6/10 | Small engines, backup fuel |
| 10-Liter Jerry Can | 15 x 9.8 x 5 in | 7/10 | Motorcycles, generators |
| 20-Liter Steel Jerry Can | 20.3 x 13.2 x 6.7 in | 10/10 | Standard fuel storage |
| 5-Gallon Plastic Jerry Can | 18 x 12.5 x 6.5 in | 9/10 | Vehicles, home use |
| NATO Military Jerry Can | 20.5 x 13.4 x 6.75 in | 8/10 | Overlanding, military use |
| 20-Liter Water Jerry Can | 19 x 12 x 7 in | 7/10 | Camping, emergency water |
Six Common Jerry Can Sizes and Their Dimensions
The 5-Liter Jerry Can
The compact 5-liter jerry can measures approximately 11.4 inches tall, 7.5 inches wide, and 4 inches deep (29 x 19 x 10 cm). Brands like Wavian and Scepter produce this size mainly for small engines chainsaws, trimmers, and portable generators. Empty weight for a plastic version runs about 1.2 pounds, making it one of the lightest portable fuel container options on the market.
This size matters because it’s easy to store in a garage shelf or truck toolbox without eating up much space. Something no competitor explained: the 5-liter size is often the only jerry can size legal for carrying gasoline on commercial flights or certain public transit systems, since many regulations cap container size for hazardous liquids.
2. The 10-Liter Jerry Can
A 10-liter jerry can typically measures 15 inches tall, 9.8 inches wide, and 5 inches deep (38 x 25 x 13 cm), splitting the difference between the compact 5-liter can and the full-size 20-liter version. Companies like Midwest Can and Justrite offer this size for motorcycles, ATVs, and small boats where a full 20-liter fuel can dimensions would be too bulky to mount securely.
The 10-liter size is a practical middle ground for riders who need extra range without doubling their fuel can’s footprint. It also fits into most vehicle door pockets and cargo nets, which the 20-liter size generally cannot do.
The 20-Liter Steel Jerry Can
This is the size most people picture when they search “jerry can sizes” the classic 20-liter steel jerry can, measuring roughly 20.3 inches tall, 13.2 inches wide, and 6.7 inches deep (51.5 x 33.5 x 17 cm). Wavian, a well-known manufacturer of NATO-style steel cans, builds this size with a triple-handle design for one-person or two-person carrying and a cam-lever cap for a leak-proof cap seal.
This is considered the standard jerry can dimensions benchmark because military forces, off-roaders, and emergency responders have relied on this exact shape since World War II. Key distinction: unlike plastic versions, steel cans of this size can safely store diesel, petrol, or kerosene without degrading over time from UV exposure or fuel additives.
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The 5-Gallon Plastic Jerry Can
A 5-gallon jerry can size (about 18.9 liters) made from high-density polyethylene typically measures 18 inches tall, 12.5 inches wide, and 6.5 inches deep (45.7 x 31.8 x 16.5 cm). Scepter, a major U.S. supplier for military and civilian fuel cans, produces this size with a vented fuel can design that reduces pressure buildup during temperature swings.
This plastic jerry can dimensions profile is popular in the U.S. because it aligns with the gallon-based measurement system rather than the metric liter system used elsewhere. Plastic construction also means it weighs roughly 4 pounds empty, lighter than a comparable steel fuel can dimensions equivalent, which matters for anyone carrying multiple cans over long distances.
The NATO Military Jerry Can
The NATO jerry can dimensions standard measures approximately 20.5 inches tall, 13.4 inches wide, and 6.75 inches deep (52 x 34 x 17 cm), based on the original German Wehrmacht design adopted by NATO forces after World War II. This military jerry can size is built from pressed steel with an X-shaped indentation pattern that lets the metal expand and contract without splitting, an engineering detail most commercial cans skip.
Understanding this size matters for overlanding and off-road vehicle fuel can setups because most aftermarket mounts (like those from Front Runner or ARB) are engineered specifically around these NATO fuel can measurements. A can even a half-inch off in width won’t seat properly in a certified mount.
The 20-Liter Water Jerry Can
A water jerry can built for potable water typically measures 19 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 7 inches deep (48 x 30.5 x 18 cm), slightly wider than fuel-rated cans to accommodate a larger pour spout. Reliance Products, a common camping-gear brand, makes this water jerry can dimensions style with a wide-mouth cap for easier filling and cleaning compared to narrow fuel caps.
This distinction matters because water jerry cans are intentionally shaped and often colored differently (blue rather than red or green) to prevent accidental cross-contamination with fuel. For overlanding gear setups, carrying both a fuel can and a water can of similar jerry can specifications makes stacking and mounting far more organized.
How Jerry Can Sizes Compare to Other Fuel Containers
Compared to a standard 1-gallon utility fuel can, a 20-liter jerry can holds roughly five times the volume but only takes up about twice the shelf space, thanks to its rectangular, stackable shape. Round gas cans, by contrast, waste storage space because they don’t nest against flat surfaces the way a jerry can’s flat sides do.
This rectangular fuel storage container shape is also why jerry cans remain the preferred choice for emergency fuel storage in vehicles, trailers, and garages you can line up three or four cans in a row without gaps, something a round gas can dimensions profile simply can’t match.
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FAQ’s
What is the size of a jerry can?
A standard 20-liter (5.3-gallon) jerry can is about 18.5 inches (47 cm) tall, 13.5 inches (34 cm) wide, and 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) deep. Sizes vary depending on the capacity and manufacturer.
How wide is a 20L jerry can?
A typical 20L jerry can is around 13.5 inches (34 cm) wide. The exact width may differ slightly between plastic and metal models.
How big is a 25L jerry can?
A 25-liter jerry can is generally about 19–20 inches (48–51 cm) tall, 13–14 inches (33–36 cm) wide, and 7–8 inches (18–20 cm) deep. Dimensions vary by brand and design.
How much is 25 litres of jerry can?
A 25-liter jerry can holds 25 liters of liquid, which equals approximately 6.6 U.S. gallons or 5.5 Imperial gallons. It is commonly used for storing fuel or water.
What are the standard jerry can dimensions?
The standard jerry can dimensions are about 20.3 inches tall, 13.2 inches wide, and 6.7 inches deep, holding 20 liters (5.3 gallons). This size, based on the NATO steel can design, remains the most recognized jerry can size worldwide for fuel and water storage.
How big is a 20-liter jerry can in inches and centimeters?
A 20-liter jerry can measures roughly 20 inches tall by 13 inches wide by 7 inches deep, or about 51.5 x 33.5 x 17 centimeters. Exact 20-liter jerry can dimensions vary slightly between steel and plastic manufacturers.
Is a 5-gallon jerry can size the same as a 20-liter can?
Not exactly — a 5-gallon jerry can size equals about 18.9 liters, which is slightly less than a true 20-liter can. The dimensions are close, but U.S. 5-gallon cans are usually about half an inch shorter than metric 20-liter versions.
What’s the difference between plastic and metal jerry can dimensions?
Plastic jerry can dimensions are typically similar to metal ones but weigh less empty. A steel fuel can offers better protection from UV light and punctures, while an HDPE plastic can resists rust and costs less, though it can degrade faster under direct sun exposure.
How much fuel does a standard jerry can hold?
A standard jerry can holds 20 liters, or about 5.3 U.S. gallons, of fuel. Smaller jerry can sizes hold as little as 5 liters (1.3 gallons), while some heavy-duty models designed for off-road vehicle fuel can setups hold up to 30 liters.
Final Thoughts
Jerry can sizes range far beyond the single red container most people imagine from compact 5-liter cans for small engines to full 20-liter steel cans built to NATO military specifications. Knowing the exact jerry can dimensions in inches or centimeters helps you pick a container that actually fits your vehicle mount, storage shelf, or camping gear setup instead of guessing and returning the wrong size. Whether you need a 5-gallon jerry can size for your truck or a wider-mouth water jerry can for a camping trip, matching the size to the job saves both space and frustration down the road.
