Barrel is a volume unit used for liquids, containers, storage and technical capacity calculations.
The 42-US-gallon oil barrel was adopted by Pennsylvania oil producers in the 1860s and became the standard unit of the petroleum industry. It equals about 158.99 liters.
Measurement system: Metric, imperial and practical fluid-capacity usage. SI equivalent: 1 bbl = 0.158987294928 m³.
Barrel facts
- Unit name
- Barrel
- Symbol
- bbl
- Category
- Volume
- Measurement system
- Metric, imperial and practical fluid-capacity usage
- SI equivalent
- 1 bbl = 0.158987294928 m³
- Common uses
- Storage, liquids, containers, engines and process vessels
Definition of the barrel
Barrel is a volume unit used for liquids, containers, storage and technical capacity calculations.
Measurement system and SI relationship
Metric, imperial and practical fluid-capacity usage
SI equivalent: 1 bbl = 0.158987294928 m³
History of the barrel
The 42-US-gallon oil barrel was adopted by Pennsylvania oil producers in the 1860s and became the standard unit of the petroleum industry. It equals about 158.99 liters.
Where is the barrel used?
Storage, liquids, containers, engines and process vessels