Outlet threads, bores and heights
There is no single universal IBC thread, which is why so many fittings ordered online do not fit. Here are the actual dimensions, format by format, plus the adapter chains that work.
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Thread crest diameter, nominal outlet size and the liquid. Parts ship by parcel, usually next business day.
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The standard North American composite IBC has a 2-inch outlet on an S60x6 buttress thread (61–63 mm across the male crests, 6 mm pitch) with a 6-inch screw lid. The outlet centre sits roughly 7–9 inches above the pallet deck. Larger formats and viscous-product units use a 3-inch outlet; stainless vessels use tri-clamp or threaded ball valves.
| Format | Outlet nominal | Thread | Clear bore | Outlet height above deck | Lid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 gal standard | 2" | S60x6 | ≈ 50 mm | 7–9" | 6" screw |
| 275 gal tall | 2" | S60x6 | ≈ 50 mm | 7–9" | 6" screw |
| 330 gal | 2" | S60x6 | ≈ 50 mm | 7–9" | 6" screw |
| 350 gal | 2" or 3" | S60x6 / 3" buttress | 50 / 75 mm | 8–10" | 6" screw |
| 400 gal | 3" | 3" buttress | ≈ 75 mm | 9–11" | 6" screw |
| 550 gal | 3" | 3" buttress | ≈ 75 mm | 10–12" | 6" screw |
| 120 gal mini | 2" | S60x6 | ≈ 50 mm | 6–7" | 6" screw |
| Older / imported | 2" | S56x4 or S70x6 | ≈ 50 mm | 7–9" | 6" screw |
| Stainless 265–330 gal | 2" | Tri-clamp / NPT | ≈ 50 mm | 8–11" | Manway / tri-clamp |
| Stainless 500 gal | 3" | Tri-clamp / NPT | ≈ 75 mm | 11–13" | Manway |
How to tell them apart with a caliper
Two measurements and you are certain: crest diameter, and the span of six crests.
| Designation | Male crest OD | Pitch | Six crests span | Common on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60x6 | 61–63 mm | 6 mm | 36 mm | Most NA composite IBCs |
| S56x4 | ≈ 56 mm | 4 mm | 24 mm | Older and some imported bottles |
| S70x6 | ≈ 70 mm | 6 mm | 36 mm | Some European bottles |
| 3" buttress | 75–80 mm | 6 mm | 36 mm | 330 gal+ and viscous-product units |
| 2" NPT | ≈ 60 mm | 11.5 TPI | 13.2 mm | Steel and stainless vessels |
| 2" tri-clamp | 64 mm ferrule | n/a | n/a | Sanitary stainless IBCs |
Getting from the tote to your equipment
These are the combinations we sell most often, in order.
| You need | Chain | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden hose | S60x6 → 3/4" GHT adapter | Flow limited by the hose, not the tote |
| 2" lay-flat or suction hose | S60x6 → 2" camlock Type F → Type C on hose | The standard transfer setup |
| Diaphragm pump inlet | S60x6 → 2" NPT nipple → pump union | Support the pump; do not hang it off the valve |
| Drum fill, gravity | S60x6 → 2" hose tail → 2" hose | Tote needs to sit on a stand |
| Pail fill, controlled | S60x6 → fine-control ball valve | Butterfly valves are poor at low flow |
| 3" transfer from a 2" outlet | S60x6 → 2" camlock → 2"×3" increaser | Hose compatibility only, not more flow |
| Sanitary transfer | Replace valve with tri-clamp assembly | Only on stainless or purpose-built units |
| Winter freeze protection | Heater jacket + insulated cover | Fit before the first hard frost |
Never hang equipment off the valve
The most common avoidable failure we see is a pump or a long rigid pipe run supported by the outlet boss.
The valve boss is a moulded feature of an HDPE bottle. It is designed to hold a valve and resist the static head of the contents — not to carry the mass of a pump, a metre of steel pipe or the dynamic load of a hose being dragged across a yard.
Support pumps independently on a stand or a bracket. Use flexible hose for the first connection so movement is absorbed before it reaches the boss. And when a transfer line is permanently plumbed, put a union within a foot of the valve so the tote can be disconnected without levering on the outlet.
A cracked valve boss is not repairable. It is the single most common reason an otherwise Grade B container gets routed to rebottling.
What size is the outlet on a 275 gallon IBC tote?
A 2-inch nominal outlet on an S60x6 buttress thread — a 63 mm thread with a 6 mm pitch, measuring about 61–63 mm across the male crests. The clear bore behind the valve is roughly 50 mm. A 6-inch screw lid sits on the top. These are the dimensions that fit the overwhelming majority of North American composite IBCs.
How high is the outlet above the ground?
About 7 to 9 inches above the pallet deck on a standard 275, which puts the centre of the valve roughly 12 to 14 inches above the floor once the pallet is included. That is the number that decides whether a 5-gallon pail fits under it — usually yes — and whether a 55-gallon drum does, which is usually no without a stand.
What is the difference between S60x6 and S56x4?
The crest diameter and the pitch. S60x6 measures around 61–63 mm across the male thread crests with a 6 mm pitch, so six crests span 36 mm. S56x4 measures around 56 mm with a 4 mm pitch, so six crests span 24 mm. They look similar across a yard and are not interchangeable; measure before ordering.
Can I fit a standard garden hose to an IBC?
Yes, with an S60x6 to 3/4-inch GHT adapter, which is one of the most commonly sold parts we stock. Flow will be limited by the hose rather than the tote. For anything above garden-irrigation duty, use a 2-inch camlock and a proper lay-flat or suction hose instead.
What lid size do IBC totes use?
A 6-inch screw lid is standard on composite IBCs, available vented or solid. A handful of formats and most stainless vessels use different top closures — tri-clamp ports, manways or bolted lids — so check the specific unit. Replacement lids and seals are stocked for the standard 6-inch pattern.
Related pages
Seven threads, eight camlocks, forty-one part lines
Measure the crest diameter and the span of six crests. Those two numbers identify any outlet thread in the North American population.
| Designation | Male crest OD | Pitch | Six crests span | Where you see it | Adapts to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60x6 (63 mm buttress) | 61–63 mm | 6 mm | 36 mm | Most NA composite IBCs, 2" outlet | 3/4"–2" NPT, camlock, hose tail |
| S56x4 | ≈ 56 mm | 4 mm | 24 mm | Older and some imported bottles | 3/4"–2" NPT via adapter |
| S70x6 | ≈ 70 mm | 6 mm | 36 mm | Some European bottles | 2" NPT via adapter |
| 3" buttress | 75–80 mm | 6 mm | 36 mm | 330 gal+ and viscous-product units | 2"–3" NPT, 3" camlock |
| 2" NPT | ≈ 60 mm | 11.5 TPI | 13.2 mm | Steel and stainless vessels | Standard pipe fittings |
| 2" tri-clamp | 64 mm ferrule | n/a | n/a | Sanitary stainless IBCs | Sanitary fittings |
| 3" tri-clamp | 91 mm ferrule | n/a | n/a | Larger stainless vessels | Sanitary fittings |
| Type | Half | End connection | Typical use on a tote |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Male adapter | Female thread | Screws onto the valve outlet |
| B | Female coupler | Male thread | Threads into a pump inlet |
| C | Female coupler | Hose shank | The hose end you clamp on |
| D | Female coupler | Female thread | Pairs with a male-threaded port |
| E | Male adapter | Hose shank | Hose to coupler, reverse direction |
| F | Male adapter | Male thread | Most common on IBC valve outlets |
| DC | Dust cap | — | Closes a female coupler in transit |
| DP | Dust plug | — | Closes a male adapter in transit |
| Part | Group | Options | Materials | Typical use | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2" butterfly valve | Valves | EPDM, Viton, silicone seat | PP body | Standard composite IBC outlet | Stocked |
| 3" butterfly valve | Valves | EPDM, Viton seat | PP body | 330 gal+ and viscous product | Stocked |
| 2" ball valve, full bore | Valves | EPDM, Viton seat | PP / PE body | Slurries, pastes, abrasives | Stocked |
| 3" ball valve | Valves | EPDM, Viton seat | PP body | High-viscosity decanting | 1–3 days |
| Stainless ball valve | Valves | 2", 3"; PTFE seat | 304 / 316L | Hot fill, solvents, CIP service | 1–3 days |
| Fine-control ball valve | Valves | 2", lever or handwheel | PP | Controlled pail filling | Stocked |
| Tri-clamp butterfly valve | Valves | 2", 3" | 316L, EPDM / PTFE | Sanitary stainless vessels | To order |
| Gate valve | Valves | 2", 3" | Cast iron, PTFE seat | Legacy steel vessels only | To order |
| Part | Group | Options | Materials | Typical use | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60x6 to 3/4" GHT | Adapters | Male / female | PP, nylon, brass | Garden hose connection | Stocked |
| S60x6 to 2" NPT | Adapters | Male / female | PP, nylon | Pipe and pump connection | Stocked |
| S60x6 to camlock | Adapters | Type A, F; 2" | PP, aluminium, 316 | Quick-connect transfer | Stocked |
| S56x4 to S60x6 converter | Adapters | — | PP | Older and imported bottles | 1–3 days |
| Camlock coupler | Adapters | Types A–F, DC, DP | PP, aluminium, 316 | Hose and pump halves | Stocked |
| Hose tail / shank | Adapters | 3/4" to 3" | PP, brass, stainless | Hose clamping | Stocked |
| Reducer / increaser | Adapters | 2"×3", 2"×1.5" | PP, aluminium | Matching an existing hose | Stocked |
| 2.5" fire thread adapter | Adapters | NST / NH | Aluminium, brass | Fire-water draft points | 1–3 days |
| Bulkhead fitting | Adapters | 1/2" to 2" | PP, EPDM gaskets | Through-wall on upcycled builds | Stocked |
Outlet dimensions, then seal material
The format decides the thread and bore. The liquid decides the seat and gasket.
| Format | Nominal | Usable | L × W × H | Tare (steel base) | Gross, water | Outlet | Stack filled | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 gal standard | 275 gal / 1,041 L | 265 gal | 48 × 40 × 46" | 137 lb | 2,347 lb | 2" S60x6 | 2 high | Ex-stock |
| 275 gal tall | 275 gal / 1,041 L | 264 gal | 48 × 40 × 53" | 141 lb | 2,342 lb | 2" S60x6 | 2 high | Regular |
| 330 gal standard | 330 gal / 1,249 L | 320 gal | 48 × 40 × 53" | 165 lb | 2,834 lb | 2" S60x6 | 2 high | Ex-stock |
| 350 gal | 350 gal / 1,325 L | 338 gal | 48 × 40 × 58" | 172 lb | 2,991 lb | 2" or 3" | 2 high | Occasional |
| 400 gal | 400 gal / 1,514 L | 386 gal | 48 × 46 × 60" | 198 lb | 3,417 lb | 3" buttress | 1 high | Order |
| 550 gal | 550 gal / 2,082 L | 532 gal | 48 × 48 × 72" | 251 lb | 4,688 lb | 3" buttress | 1 high | Occasional |
| 120 gal mini | 120 gal / 454 L | 115 gal | 32 × 32 × 36" | 71 lb | 1,030 lb | 2" S60x6 | 2 high | Occasional |
| 180 gal | 180 gal / 681 L | 174 gal | 40 × 40 × 42" | 98 lb | 1,549 lb | 2" S60x6 | 2 high | Order |
| Stainless 265 gal | 265 gal / 1,003 L | 258 gal | 48 × 40 × 50" | 285 lb | 2,436 lb | 2" tri-clamp | 2 high | Occasional |
| Stainless 330 gal | 330 gal / 1,249 L | 322 gal | 48 × 40 × 56" | 330 lb | 3,015 lb | 2" tri-clamp | 2 high | Occasional |
| Stainless 400 gal | 400 gal / 1,514 L | 390 gal | 48 × 46 × 62" | 385 lb | 3,637 lb | 3" tri-clamp | 1 high | Order |
| Stainless 500 gal | 500 gal / 1,893 L | 488 gal | 48 × 48 × 68" | 430 lb | 4,600 lb | 3" tri-clamp | 1 high | Order |
Seal compatibility — 21 media against four elastomers
| Medium | EPDM | Viton (FKM) | Silicone | PTFE | We would fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water, potable & process | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | EPDM |
| Dilute acids (<10%) | Good | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Concentrated acids | Poor | Good | Poor | Excellent | PTFE |
| Caustic soda, alkalis | Excellent | Fair | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Liquid fertiliser, UAN | Excellent | Good | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Glycols, coolants, de-icer | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Surfactants, detergents | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Edible oils, fats | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Mineral oils | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Aromatic solvents | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Chlorinated solvents | Poor | Good | Poor | Excellent | Viton / PTFE |
| Ketones (acetone, MEK) | Fair | Poor | Poor | Excellent | PTFE |
| Alcohols | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Fuels, diesel, kerosene | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Juice & syrup concentrate | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | FDA EPDM |
| Brine, pickling liquor | Good | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | Viton |
| Hot fill 140–180°F | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Viton / silicone |
| Hydrogen peroxide (dilute) | Good | Fair | Fair | Excellent | EPDM / PTFE |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Good | Good | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Steam / CIP chemistry | Excellent | Fair | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Outdoor weathering & ozone | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | EPDM |
Seal and closure part lines
| Part | Group | Options | Materials | Typical use | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet gasket, flat | Seals | EPDM, Viton, silicone | FDA grades available | The usual cause of a leak | Stocked |
| Outlet gasket, O-ring | Seals | EPDM, Viton | FDA grades available | Some valve patterns | Stocked |
| PTFE envelope gasket | Seals | EPDM or silicone core | PTFE | Aggressive or mixed chemistry | 1–3 days |
| Lid seal | Seals | Foam, EPDM, silicone | FDA grades available | Second most degraded part | Stocked |
| Part | Group | Options | Materials | Typical use | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6" screw lid, vented | Closures | One-way, two-way vent | HDPE | Pumped discharge, off-gassing, outdoor | Stocked |
| 6" screw lid, solid | Closures | — | HDPE | Sealed transport, DOT closures | Stocked |
| Tamper-evident dust cap | Closures | Plain, numbered | PE | Transit protection and evidence | Stocked |
| Camlock dust plug / cap | Closures | DC, DP | PP, aluminium | Closing an unused half | Stocked |
Failure modes at the outlet
| Mode | Cause | What it looks like | Recoverable? | Prevention | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV embrittlement | Unshaded outdoor storage | Chalky, boardy, higher-pitched tap | No | Cover or shade it | Most common |
| Stress whitening at the radius | Over-fill, freeze, uneven ground | White crackled lower corners | No | Level pad, respect max gross mass | Common |
| Plasticisation & ghosting | Pigment, resin, solvent absorption | Permanent shadow when backlit | Rebottle | Match chemistry to material | Common |
| Freeze damage | Left full and sealed | Bulged panel, split seam, blown boss | Sometimes fittings only | Drain or 2/3 fill, vented lid | Seasonal spike |
| Valve boss cracking | Unsupported pump or rigid pipe | Star crazing at the boss root | No — rebottle | Support the pump separately | Avoidable |
| Impact puncture | Forklift tine, drop, collision | Hole or deep gouge | No | Handling discipline | Rare |
| Cage racking | Soft ground, foot impact, over-fill | Diagonals differ by > 1/2" | Jig if under 1/2" | Level load-bearing pad | Common |
| Weld node cracking | Fatigue, previous field weld | Rust bloom then crack | No | Never field-weld a cage | Occasional |
| Pallet rot / delamination | Timber base outdoors | Soft bearers, split deck | Replace base | Specify steel or composite | Very common |
| Seal failure | Compression set, wrong elastomer, reuse | Weeping at the boss or lid | Yes — new seal | Replace at every product change | 71% of reports |
Sixteen datasets, each published in full
Everything this site measures, with the row count and the page it lives on. None of it is behind a form.