--- title: Difference Between Edible Oil Net Weight, Gross Weight and Pallet Size description: The difference between the net and gross weight of edible oil, and why you need to know it if you're comparing bulk options. Plus, pallet calculations! image: https://www.centrafoods.com/hubfs/forklift-unloading-truck.jpg --- [![Centra Foods | Simply Authentic](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/file-339185492-png/images/centra-logo.png?width=487&height=64&name=centra-logo.png "Centra Foods | Simply Authentic")](https://www.centrafoods.com) [Bulk Oil Blog](http://centrafoods.com/blog) # [Difference Between Edible Oil Net Weight, Gross Weight and Pallet Size](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/difference-between-edible-oil-net-weight-gross-weight-and-pallet-size) Posted by [Hannah Broaddus](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/author/hannah-broaddus) July 6, 2015 at 6:00 AM If you’re looking at bulk oils for the first time from a bulk supplier (vs. a distributor like Costco), you’ll need to know how much oil you’d get in a bulk shipment, determine the weights of the different packaging types and understand how much oil comes on one pallet. This article will address these three basic questions, as well as why you need know these calculations: **What is net weight?** You need to know this to figure out and compare pricing. **What is gross weight?** Gross weights help you choose the right packaging and do shipping calculations. **How much oil fits on one pallet?** We’ll give you the calculations.   ## What Is Net Weight? ![Edible Oil](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/file-417102558-jpg/images/Oil-rolling-spilling-error-pg-b.jpg?width=792&name=Oil-rolling-spilling-error-pg-b.jpg "Edible Oil") Net weight is, in this case, the weight of the oil. This weight includes only the oil— no packaging and not the weight of the pallet that it sits on.   ### Net Weight Is Important For Price Calculations Net weight is important as you are comparing prices. Most bulk oil prices offered in the US are done by the pound. For example, if you’re getting 55 gallon drums you’ll need to know a few things like: - How much is the oil per pound? - How many pounds are in your drums? (Different suppliers fill them to different weights.) - How many drums come on a pallet? Let’s switch it out and pretend that you ordered different packaging instead — let’s say the 35 Lb. Containers. The questions would remain quite the same either way. - How much is the oil per pound? - How many pounds of oil are in each container? - How many containers come stacked on on pallet?   ## What Is Gross Weight? The gross weight of an item includes both the product that’s inside and the packaging. In this case, it includes the weight of the oil and the weight of the packaging. For example, the gross weight of a 35 Lb. Container would include the weight of the oil (35 lbs.) plus the weight of the box (about 3 lbs.) for a total gross weight of 38 pounds. If you’re calculating the gross weight of the pallet, it includes the weight of the oil, all of the packaging and the pallet itself.   ### Gross Weight Is Important For Shipping Calculations ![forklift-unloading-truck](https://www.centrafoods.com/hubfs/forklift-unloading-truck.jpg) Who cares about the gross weight of your order? Your shipper does! The shipping company wants to know how much the item weighs that they’re picking up and bringing to you. They don’t care how much just the oils weighs— that’s not the total that they have to carry. To be able to give your shipper the total gross weight of your order, you’ll need to factor in the weight of the oil, the weight of the packaging and the weight of the pallet.   ## How Much Oil Fits On A Pallet? ![Olive Oil Drums On Pallet](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hub/260019/file-362808915-jpg/images/Packaging/olive-oil-drums.jpg?width=350&name=olive-oil-drums.jpg "Olive Oil Drums On Pallet")For a quick comparison, see the calculations below that show how much of each edible oil packaging fits onto a pallet. 1 Gallon = 7.61 Lbs 1 Drum = 419 Lbs 1 Pallet = 4 Drums 1 Tote = 275 Gallons (2,093 Lbs) 1 Tote = 330 Gallons (2,511 Lbs) 1 Pallet = Ninety 4x3 Liter Cases (Tins) 1 Pallet = Fifty-Five 6x3 Liter Cases (Bag in Box) 1 Pallet = Forty-Five 6x1 Gallon Cases (Plastic) 1 Pallet = Sixty 4x1 Gallon Cases (Plastic) 1 35 Lb Container = 4.60 Gallons 1 Pallet = Sixty 35 Lbs Containers   ### Download A Quick Comparison Chart For Each Packaging Size ![Shipping Information Chart](https://www.centrafoods.com/hubfs/images/Blog-Images/shipping-info.jpg "Shipping Information Chart") For easy comparison, we created a chart to compare each of the packaging options, their net (oil) weight, gross (total) weight, number of units per pallet and even the ti-hi (how many layers and how high they’re stacked). Of course, this chart relates to our own packaging sizes, so if you work with a different supplier you’ll need to know their exact sizes. ### [Download the shipping comparison chart now](https://www.centrafoods.com/hubfs/docs/General-Info/CENTRA-Shipping-Information.pdf) Topics: [Food Manufacturing](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/food-manufacturing), [Small Businesses Advice](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/small-businesses-advice) ### Don't Forget to Share! [Share via Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fdifference-between-edible-oil-net-weight-gross-weight-and-pallet-size) [Share via Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fdifference-between-edible-oil-net-weight-gross-weight-and-pallet-size&text=Difference+Between+Edible+Oil+Net+Weight%2C+Gross+Weight+and+Pallet+Size) [Share via Email ](mailto:?subject=Difference+Between+Edible+Oil+Net+Weight%2C+Gross+Weight+and+Pallet+Size&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fdifference-between-edible-oil-net-weight-gross-weight-and-pallet-size) [Share via LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fdifference-between-edible-oil-net-weight-gross-weight-and-pallet-size&title=Difference+Between+Edible+Oil+Net+Weight%2C+Gross+Weight+and+Pallet+Size&summary=The+difference+between+the+net+and+gross+weight+of+edible+oil%2C+and+why+you+need+to+know+it+if+you%27re+comparing+bulk+options.++Plus%2C+pallet+calculations%21)   #### Related Articles #### ↓ [Purchasing & Procurement](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/purchasing-procurement) Different suppliers -- whether they're located in the US or around in the world -- price oil differently. Sometimes it is priced per pound, per kilogram, per liter, per... [Shipping & Logistics](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/shipping-logistics) Shipping has a big impact on the [total delivered cost](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/6-important-factors-that-make-up-a-landed-bulk-oil-cost) of your bulk oil ingredients--or any ingredients for that matter. The amount that it costs to have products shipped... [![Download the Manufacturing eBook](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/260019/7621703d-f6c2-4f89-9e5e-d550409ddc46.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/260019/7621703d-f6c2-4f89-9e5e-d550409ddc46) ### Enter your email below to get commodity market updates & cost-saving tips for procurement professionals. ## Comments ---         --- ## Buy & Ship Direct From Our Online Store ***Select an item below to see live pricing**** (LTL quotes included at checkout).*       Now you can [**order direct from our website**](http://centrafoods.com/store), without ever talking to a salesperson.  We've created this new industry-leading online storefront which makes the bulk oil buying process so much easier! - See live price quotes for oils online - Shipping costs are auto-calculated at checkout - Buy single drums, partial pallets or full pallets - Pay with a credit card - Ships from Centra Foods within 1-3 business days     [![SHOP NOW](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/260019/56b02799-517b-48ac-a331-94d1cb090fa4.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/260019/56b02799-517b-48ac-a331-94d1cb090fa4) ### About [Buy Bulk Oil Online](http://centrafoods.com/store) [Request Pricing](https://www.centrafoods.com/request-pricing) [Services](https://www.centrafoods.com/services) [About](https://www.centrafoods.com/why-us/about) ### Resources [Articles](https://www.centrafoods.com/resources/articles) [eBooks](https://www.centrafoods.com/ebooks) [Videos](https://www.centrafoods.com/videos) [Case Studies](https://www.centrafoods.com/resources/case-studies) [Tips & Tools](https://www.centrafoods.com/tips-tools) [Glossary](https://www.centrafoods.com/glossary-of-terms) ### Certifications ![USDA-Organic-Logo-no-background-sm.png](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/USDA-Organic-Logo-no-background-sm.png?width=50&name=USDA-Organic-Logo-no-background-sm.png "USDA-Organic-Logo-no-background-sm.png") ![Star-K-no-background-sm.png](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Star-K-no-background-sm.png?width=50&name=Star-K-no-background-sm.png "Star-K-no-background-sm.png") ![Non-GMO-Project-Logo-sm.jpg](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Non-GMO-Project-Logo-sm.jpg?width=50&name=Non-GMO-Project-Logo-sm.jpg "Non-GMO-Project-Logo-sm.jpg") ![Logo FSSC 22000](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20FSSC%2022000.jpg?width=1131&name=Logo%20FSSC%2022000.jpg "Logo FSSC 22000") ### Contact Sales [(206) 939-1355](tel:2538726907)   [8629 S 208th St.](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Centra+Foods+%7C+Bulk+Oils,+8629+South+208th+Street,+Bldg+O,+Kent,+WA+98031/@47.4147485,-122.2945673,12z/data=!4m13!1m4!3m3!1s0x54905946622ccdb7:0x89392c4d34e73456!2sCentra+Foods+%7C+Bulk+Oils!3b1!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x54905946622ccdb7:0x89392c4d34e73456!2m2!1d-122.225901!2d47.414769) [Kent, WA 98031](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Centra+Foods+%7C+Bulk+Oils,+8629+South+208th+Street,+Bldg+O,+Kent,+WA+98031/@47.4147485,-122.2945673,12z/data=!4m13!1m4!3m3!1s0x54905946622ccdb7:0x89392c4d34e73456!2sCentra+Foods+%7C+Bulk+Oils!3b1!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x54905946622ccdb7:0x89392c4d34e73456!2m2!1d-122.225901!2d47.414769)   [**](https://www.facebook.com/CentraFoodsOil) [**](https://twitter.com/CentraFoods) [**](http://www.linkedin.com/company/centra-foods) [**](https://plus.google.com/+CentraFoodsKent/posts) [**](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/rss.xml) Copyright © Centra Foods 2026     |     [Privacy Policy](https://www.centrafoods.com/privacy-policy)