A Cornelius keg — universally called a corny keg — is the 5 gallon stainless
vessel originally built for soft-drink syrup and adopted by homebrewers because
it can be opened, cleaned and refilled by hand.
Quick answer
1 corny keg = 5 US gallons = 18.93 litres = 640 US fl oz, which pours about
40 pints (16 oz) or 53 bottles (12 oz).
The numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| US gallons | 5.0 |
| Litres | 18.93 |
| US fl oz | 640 |
| 16 oz pints | 40 |
| 12 oz servings | 53 |
| Empty (tare) weight | 9 lb / 4.1 kg |
| Full weight | 55 lb / 25 kg |
A 5 gallon homebrew batch never quite fills a corny keg — trub and transfer
losses usually leave 4.5–4.75 gallons, which is why the extra headspace matters.
Ball lock vs pin lock
| Ball lock | Pin lock | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Pepsi | Coca-Cola |
| Height × diameter | 25 in × 8.5 in | 23 in × 9 in |
| Disconnects | Push-on collar | Twist onto pins |
| Lid | Larger, easier to clean | Smaller oval |
Ball lock is the more common format today and the one most kits assume. The two
use different, non-interchangeable disconnects — standardise on one before
buying gas and liquid lines.
Smaller variants
- 3 gallon (11.36 L): about 24 pints — good for split batches and sour beers.
- 2.5 gallon (9.46 L): about 20 pints — fits two per shelf in a small fridge.
- 1.75 gallon (6.62 L): about 14 pints — for test batches.
Key takeaways
- 5 US gallons = 18.93 L = 40 pints, and only 55 lb when full.
- Ball lock and pin lock disconnects do not interchange.
- A corny keg is refillable at home; a sixtel is not.
- Compare with commercial sizes in the keg size chart.