A jerrycan, also spelled jerry can or jerrican, is a robust liquid container made from pressed steel or high-density polyethylene. It was designed in Germany in the 1930s for military use to hold 20 liters of fuel, and saw widespread use by both Germany and the Allies during the Second World War. The jerrycan was a significant improvement on earlier designs, which required tools and funnels to use, and it contained many innovative features for convenience of use and robustness. Today, similar designs are used worldwide for fuel and water containers, in both military and civilian contexts.

Some key features of a jerrycan include:

• Capacity: A jerrycan can hold up to 20 liters of liquid.
• Design: The design of a jerrycan makes it possible to quickly attach a hose to prevent spills while filling it.
• Material: Jerrycans can be made from pressed steel or high-density polyethylene.

Jerrycans are commonly used for storing and transporting liquids such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, chemicals, lubricants, and water. They are still used by armies of NATO countries as a standard container for fuel and other liquids. In addition, the European Agreement regarding the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road governs the movement of dangerous goods within Europe, and the conventional jerrycan is included in the definition of a jerrican found in Chapter 1.2 of the 2011 edition.