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How Much Does a Gallon of Gas Weigh?

A US gallon of regular gasoline weighs about 6.3 pounds (2.8 kg), noticeably lighter than a gallon of water, which weighs about 8.3 pounds.

Updated Measurements & Conversions

Why gas is lighter than water: weight comes down to density, and gasoline is a mix of hydrocarbons that's significantly less dense than water — roughly 74–76% as dense, which is why gasoline floats on water rather than mixing with it.

Weight by fuel type (approximate, per US gallon)

Fuel Weight
Regular gasoline ≈ 6.3 lb (2.8 kg)
Premium gasoline ≈ 6.1–6.3 lb (varies slightly by formulation)
Diesel ≈ 7.1 lb (3.2 kg) — diesel is denser than gasoline
Water (for comparison) ≈ 8.3 lb (3.8 kg)

Why the exact figure isn't perfectly fixed: gasoline's exact density varies slightly by season, region, and additive blend (e.g., ethanol content), and temperature affects it too — gasoline expands slightly and gets marginally lighter per gallon as it warms, and contracts slightly when cold.

Why this comes up practically: a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline weighs roughly 94–95 pounds, which matters for things like calculating a vehicle's loaded weight, understanding fuel weight in aviation or boating (where weight and balance genuinely affects performance), or basic curiosity about a substance most people handle constantly without thinking about its weight.

Two similar answers: How Much Does a Gallon of Water Weigh? and How Much Is 8 oz in Cups?.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a gallon of gas heavier or lighter than a gallon of water?

Lighter. A gallon of gasoline weighs about 6.3 pounds versus about 8.3 pounds for a gallon of water, because gasoline is less dense.

Does diesel weigh more than gasoline per gallon?

Yes, diesel is denser and weighs approximately 7.1 pounds per gallon, compared to about 6.3 pounds for regular gasoline.

How much does a full 15-gallon gas tank weigh?

Roughly 94 to 95 pounds of fuel, based on regular gasoline's weight of about 6.3 pounds per gallon.

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