On the surface it seems like a dumb question
 

How much does a five-gallon bucket hold? What I'm trying to find out is the fudge factor, the wiggle room, if you will. Most items that purport to hold a certain amount usually hold a bit more, and almost never less.

Re: On the surface it seems like a dumb question
 

My guess would be the lowest of those three ribs up at the top would be 5 gallons. About three inches from the top.

Re: On the surface it seems like a dumb question
 

Do you really mean volume? Or weight? Let's see what's behind door number two.....
5 gal rice: 35-40#
5 gal wheat: 25#
I don't tend to store liquids, so gallons mean little to me. Now, if you really meant volume, uh, accept face value.:D

Re: On the surface it seems like a dumb question
 

I can usually fit about 40lbs. of, say, rice in a pail.

Remember that if you use Gamma lids, they screw down into the pail unlike the regular lids so you will have to take that loss of space into consideration also.

Re: On the surface it seems like a dumb question
 

Yes, I mean volume. Where is the five gallon mark?