IBC Valve Sizes & Fittings
Standard IBC totes have two openings: a 2-inch bottom discharge valve and a 6-inch top fill cap. Understanding valve sizes, thread standards, and available adapters helps ensure compatibility with your filling and dispensing equipment.
Standard Valve Sizes
| Opening | Size | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom discharge | 2" (50mm) | Butterfly valve | Dispensing and draining |
| Top fill | 6" (150mm) | Screw cap with gasket | Filling and venting |
Thread Standards
IBC tote valves use one of two common thread standards. It is important to know which standard your tote uses before buying adapters or replacement valves:
- NPS (National Pipe Standard) — Most common in North America. 2" NPS has ~2.375" OD threads. Also called NPT (tapered) or NPS (straight).
- BSP (British Standard Pipe) — Common on European-manufactured totes. 2" BSP has slightly different thread pitch than NPS. Not interchangeable without an adapter.
Tip: All IBC totes sold at IBC.gg for the North American market use NPS threads unless otherwise noted in the product description.
Common Adapters
- 2" NPS to garden hose: Connects the IBC valve to standard 3/4" garden hose for gravity-fed dispensing
- 2" NPS to cam-lock: Quick-connect fitting for industrial hose connections
- 2" NPS to 2" BSP: Thread adapter for connecting BSP equipment to NPS totes
- 2" ball valve replacement: Drop-in replacement for the butterfly valve — preferred for precise flow control
- 6" cap with breather vent: Replacement cap that includes a pressure-relief vent for sealed storage
Replacement Valves
If a butterfly valve is damaged or leaking, it can be replaced without replacing the entire tote. Standard 2" butterfly valves are designed for tool-free removal — they unscrew from the bottom fitting. Always replace the gasket when changing a valve.