Convert Tun (tun) to Barrel (US) (bbl (US)) instantly.
About these units
Tun (tun)
A tun is a historical large cask unit commonly used in the wine and brewing industries, typically defined as 252 imperial gallons, or roughly 954 liters. It represented one of the largest standardized cask sizes in medieval and early modern Europe. Originally used for transporting wine, ale, and oil, the tun played an important role in commerce and maritime trade. Because taxes and tariffs were often levied per tun, its definition became central to economic regulation. The size also reflected the maximum volume that could be reliably transported in wooden casks without structural failure. Though obsolete today, the tun provides valuable insight into historical logistics, taxation, and the evolution of standardized container sizes in European trade networks.
Barrel (US) (bbl (US))
The US barrel is a unit with multiple definitions depending on the industry, though the most common general-purpose US barrel is 31.5 US gallons, used historically for dry goods, ale, and various agricultural products. In practice, the US barrel arose from traditional cask-making, where wooden barrels of different shapes were used for storage and transport. Because their capacity varied widely, different industries standardized the barrel at different volumes. Over time, manufacturers and commercial sectors adopted specific barrel sizes for consistency. Today, the US barrel appears in brewing, winemaking, certain agricultural commodities, and historical documents describing early American commerce. Its varied legacy makes it a fascinating example of an evolving unit shaped by economic necessity and craftsmanship.