What Size Trash Bag Fits a 55 Gallon Drum?

A standard 55 gallon drum needs a bag about 38 inches wide by 58 inches long. That size fits the drum with enough extra length to fold over the rim and tie the bag shut when it's full. Here's how that number is worked out, which other sizes fit, and how thick the bag should be for what you're throwing away.

The short answer

• Best all-around fit: 38x58 bags.
• Snugger fit, a little less plastic: 36x58 or 36x55 bags.
• Lightweight and low cost per bag: 36x60 or 38x60 high density bags (12 to 22 micron).
• Wider, shorter 55 gallon containers: 40x50 bags.

How to work out the bag size for a drum

A standard 55 gallon steel drum is about 22.5 inches across and 33.5 inches tall. Plastic drums are close to that, usually a little taller. To find the bag size:

1. Bag width = half the distance around the drum. 22.5 x 3.14 ÷ 2 = about 35.5 inches.
2. Bag length = drum height + half the diameter (to cover the bottom) + about 3 inches to fold over the rim. 33.5 + 11.25 + 3 = about 48 inches.

So any bag at least 36 inches wide and 48 inches long will line a 55 gallon drum. A 38x58 bag gives you an extra 10 inches of length, which makes it easy to pull the bag over the rim, keep it from slipping in, and tie it off when it's full. Measuring a different can? Use our garbage bag size calculator.

How thick should a 55 gallon drum liner be?

• Paper, packaging and light dry waste: high density bags, 12 to 22 micron. Thin, strong and the lowest cost per bag.
• Everyday trash in warehouses, shops and kitchens: 1.2 to 1.5 mil low density bags.
• Heavy, wet or bulky waste: 2 to 2.3 mil.
• Construction debris, roofing, wood and anything sharp: 3 to 6 mil contractor bags, such as our 38x58 3 mil contractor bags or 6 mil contractor bags.

Mil (thousandths of an inch) measures low density plastic that stretches before it tears. Micron measures high density plastic that is thinner and lighter but less stretchy. For more detail, see our guide to trash bag thickness and high density vs. low density bags.

Black, clear or colored?

Black bags hide the contents. Clear bags let staff, haulers and inspectors see what's inside, and some facilities require them for recycling. Colored bags (blue, green, red, orange, yellow and white) help separate recycling, food waste and general trash. We also make green compostable 38x58 bags for food scraps and yard waste.

Stop the bag from slipping into the drum

A full 55 gallon bag is heavy and can pull itself down into the drum. Fold the extra length over the rim and hold it with a 23 inch jumbo rubber band, which is sized for 40 to 75 gallon containers.

Frequently asked questions

What size bag fits a 55 gallon drum?
A 38x58 bag is the standard fit. 36x58 and 36x55 bags also fit, with a little less overhang.

Will a 55 gallon bag fit a 50 or 60 gallon can?
Usually yes. 38x58 bags are sold as 50-60 gallon bags because they fit most round cans in that range. Measure your can to be sure.

How many bags come in a case?
Most 55 gallon bags come 100 per case. Contractor bags come 25 to 50 per case and high density bags 100 to 200.

Shop 55 gallon trash bags. Every order ships free to the lower 48 states, and bulk discounts apply automatically from 3 cases.