How Much Does a 5 Gallon Bucket of Corn Weigh? 3 Key Facts

A 5 gallon bucket of shelled corn weighs 30 to 45 pounds, depending on how full you pack it and how dry the grain sits. This guide breaks down the weight for shelled, ear, and cracked corn, plus the moisture, test weight, and packing factors that shift those numbers on my farm in Kansas.

A level-full 5 gallon bucket of shelled corn weighs about 30 to 35 pounds at 15% moisture. Heaped or settled, the same bucket pushes 40 to 45 pounds. Ear corn weighs 18 to 22 pounds per bucket. Cracked corn lands close to shelled corn at 32 to 38 pounds. A 5 gallon bucket equals roughly 0.54 bushels.

I keep a small kitchen scale in my shed, and the numbers above match what I pull off it season after season. If you raise cattle, fill deer feeders, or sell grain, these figures will save you time. For deeper background on moving grain off the field, I covered the full workflow in a piece on handling grain right after harvest.

What Determines the Weight of Corn in a 5 Gallon Bucket

Four factors change the weight:

• Form of corn: shelled, ear, or cracked
• Moisture content: wet corn weighs more per volume
• Test weight: USDA grade No. 2 corn requires 54 lbs per bushel minimum; standard bushel weight equals 56 lbs per USDA grain standards
• Packing: level, heaped, or settled from vibration

Each factor moves the final number by 2 to 10 pounds. A wet, heaped bucket of ear corn and a level bucket of dry shelled corn can weigh the same.

See more: Pounds of Corn in a 55 Gallon Drum

How Much Does Shelled Corn Weigh in a 5 Gallon Bucket

Shelled corn weighs 30 to 35 pounds per 5 gallon bucket when filled level. Heaped full or settled by shaking, the weight climbs to 40 to 45 pounds.

Here is the math I use:

• 5 US gallons equals 0.668 cubic feet
• Shelled corn bulk density averages 45 lbs per cubic foot at 15% moisture, per Iowa State Extension grain data
• 0.668 × 45 equals 30.1 lbs level

Settling adds 3 to 5 pounds. Heaping the kernels above the rim adds another 5 to 10. That is why you see ranges from 30 up to 45 lbs quoted across feed stores and farm blogs.

How Much Does Ear Corn Weigh in a 5 Gallon Bucket

Ear corn weighs 18 to 22 pounds per 5 gallon bucket. The cob takes up space but adds little weight, so density drops sharply.

A simple split:

• 70 pounds of ear corn shells out to about 56 pounds of kernels plus 14 pounds of cob
• Ear corn bulk density runs near 28 lbs per cubic foot
• 0.668 × 28 equals 18.7 lbs

If you feed deer or hogs whole ear corn, count on each bucket delivering about 14 to 18 pounds of actual kernels once the cobs are stripped out.

How Much Does Cracked Corn Weigh in a 5 Gallon Bucket

Cracked corn weighs 32 to 38 pounds per 5 gallon bucket. Breaking kernels creates smaller pieces and fines that settle into gaps. Bulk density stays close to whole shelled corn, but the pack varies more.

Poultry owners and hog farmers use cracked corn for easier digestion. Expect the weight to fall about 1 to 3 pounds below shelled corn for the same bucket fill.

How Moisture Content Changes the Weight

Corn at 25% moisture weighs 7 to 10% more than corn at 15% moisture for the same volume. Harvest-time moisture runs 18 to 28%. Safe storage moisture sits at 13 to 15%.

Wet corn rots fast, so weight gains from moisture are never a good trade. I run a tester on every load I buy or store. If you need one, I broke down the top choices in my review of battery-powered grain testers.

How to Measure Corn Weight Accurately

I follow five steps on my farm:

1. Weigh the empty bucket first. A standard plastic 5 gallon bucket weighs about 1.5 pounds.
2. Fill the bucket to the fill line you plan to use, level or heaped.
3. Set the bucket on a scale and record the total.
4. Subtract the empty bucket weight to get the net corn weight.
5. Check moisture with a tester to adjust for storage or sale.

A bathroom scale works for home use. For grain sales, use a certified scale.

Why Corn Weight Matters

Farmers and buyers use bucket weights for:

• Feed rations for cattle, chickens, hogs, and goats
• Grain sales by the bucket or bushel
• Deer feeder and wildlife plot planning
• Storage bin fill calculations
• Home milling and kitchen use

A deer feeder holding three 5 gallon buckets stores roughly 100 pounds of shelled corn. Feed store prices often quote per 50 lb bag, so knowing your bucket math keeps you from overpaying. I walk through long-term grain storage options in a separate piece if you plan to hold corn through winter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing ear corn weight with shelled corn weight
• Ignoring moisture when buying or selling
• Using non-standard buckets (some “5 gallon” pails hold 4.25 gallons)
• Skipping the empty bucket tare
• Overloading the bucket past its rated capacity and cracking the rim

Buy buckets rated for food or agricultural use if you plan to store feed. Check the stamped capacity on the bottom.

Safety Notes

A full 5 gallon bucket of wet corn can weigh 45 pounds or more. Bend your knees and lift with your legs. Keep lids sealed tight to block rodents and moths. Store corn in a dry, cool spot to prevent mold and aflatoxin growth. If you spot caked kernels or a sour smell, pitch the batch.

FAQs about 5 Gallon Bucket of Corn Weight

Last Notes

A 5 gallon bucket of corn weighs 30 to 45 pounds for shelled, 18 to 22 pounds for ear corn, and 32 to 38 pounds for cracked. Form, moisture, and packing drive the spread. Weigh the empty bucket first, check moisture before you buy or store, and use a scale when accuracy matters. Once you run the numbers a few times on your own buckets, the ranges will become second nature.