Convert Barrel to Cubic Inch (bbl → in³)
The oil barrel equals 42 US gallons and is the global benchmark for crude oil pricing and trading.
Barrel to Cubic Inch Conversion Table
10 common values| Barrel | Cubic Inch |
|---|---|
| 1 bbl | 9,702 in³ |
| 2 bbl | 19,404 in³ |
| 5 bbl | 48,510 in³ |
| 10 bbl | 97,020 in³ |
| 20 bbl | 194,040 in³ |
| 50 bbl | 485,100 in³ |
| 100 bbl | 970,200 in³ |
| 200 bbl | 1,940,400 in³ |
| 500 bbl | 4,851,000 in³ |
| 1,000 bbl | 9,702,000 in³ |
How to Convert Barrel to Cubic Inch Manually
Step by StepConverting barrels to cubic inches is straightforward: multiply by the conversion factor. Follow these three steps to do it by hand or in your head.
- 1Take your value in barrelsStart with the number of barrels (bbl) you want to convert.
- 2Multiply by 9,702The conversion factor from bbl to in³ is 9,702. Multiply your value by this number.
- 3Read the result in cubic inchesThe result is your value in cubic inches (in³).
Formula
Multiply the value in barrels by 9,702. For the reverse direction, multiply by 0.000103.
in³ = bbl × 9,702bbl = in³ × 0.000103Tips
Use these in everyday conversions- 1 oil barrel = 42 US gallons = 158.987 L exactly.
- Barrel prices quoted in USD — watch currency impact on non-US economies.
- Different industries (beer, dry goods) use different barrel sizes — oil barrel is a specific unit.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these- Using beer barrel (163.7 L) or dry barrel (115.6 L) in oil contexts.
- Confusing barrel of oil with barrel of beer — different volumes.
- Assuming barrels are standard worldwide — only oil industry uses the 42 gallon version globally.
About Barrel and Cubic Inch
What is the Barrel?
The oil barrel equals exactly 42 US gallons (158.987 liters) and is the global benchmark unit for crude oil pricing and trading. The 42-gallon size dates to the 1860s Pennsylvania oil boom, when oil was shipped in repurposed wooden barrels of various sizes; the standard settled at 42 gallons as a practical industry compromise. Today, the oil barrel is virtually synonymous with crude oil — Brent crude and WTI prices are quoted per barrel ($/bbl), OPEC tracks production in barrels per day, and proven reserves are listed in billions of barrels. Despite metrication, the barrel persists in petroleum trading and journalism worldwide. It relates to the US gallon (1 bbl = 42 US gal), the cubic meter (1 bbl ≈ 0.159 m³), and the liter (1 bbl ≈ 159 L). Note that beer and wine barrels have different volumes.
- Crude oil international pricing (Brent, WTI)
- Petroleum product reporting (OPEC, EIA)
- Energy-sector financial reporting
Brent crude and WTI oil are priced in US dollars per barrel. Global oil demand is about 100 million barrels per day.
What is the Cubic Inch?
The cubic inch equals exactly 16.387064 cubic centimeters and is the traditional American unit for engine displacement and small-volume manufacturing measurements. Classic American muscle cars were famously identified by their cubic-inch engine size: the Ford 'Boss 429' had a 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8, and the Chevrolet 'Big Block 454' was 7.4 liters. Modern American automakers have transitioned mostly to liter-based naming (e.g., 'Hemi 5.7'), but the cubic inch persists in vintage car culture and aviation engines. It is also used for printer-paper coverage and industrial tolerances. The cubic inch relates to the cubic foot (1,728 in³ = 1 ft³), the cubic centimeter (1 in³ ≈ 16.39 cm³), the milliliter (1 in³ ≈ 16.39 mL), and the US fluid ounce (1 fl oz ≈ 1.805 in³).
- Classic US car engine displacement
- Firearms chamber and cartridge specs
- Some US machining and mould design
350 cu in V8 = 5.7 L engine. 302 cu in Ford V8 = 4.9 L. Modern specs typically give litres.