What Size Propane Tank Do I Need?
If you're asking "what size propane tank do I need," this calculator gives you a straight answer. Enter your home's square footage, pick your climate, and check every appliance you plan to run on propane to get a recommended tank size, an estimated yearly propane usage, and how many deliveries that means per year.
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How to use this calculator
Start with your home's approximate square footage and select your climate. Then check every appliance that will run on propane — furnace, water heater, stove, dryer, fireplace, or a standby generator. The calculator answers "what size propane tank do I need" instantly, and it recalculates every time you change an input.
Your results show the recommended tank size, an estimated annual propane usage broken down by appliance, and how many refill deliveries that usage implies per year. Use the breakdown to see which appliances drive most of your consumption.
Treat the recommendation as a starting point for a conversation with your propane dealer. A dealer will confirm the final size based on local codes, setback distances, delivery routes, and your home's exact setup — but most homeowners find this calculator's rule-of-thumb lands within one tank size of the dealer's recommendation.
How it works
This calculator uses the standard rule-of-thumb sizing table that propane dealers start from:
- 120-gallon tank: small usage — 1 to 2 appliances, no whole-house heat (for example, stove and dryer only).
- 250-gallon tank: medium usage — 2 to 3 appliances, or a small home under 1,800 sq ft with heat.
- 320-gallon tank: 3 to 4 appliances in a medium-size home.
- 500-gallon tank: whole-house use — 2,500 to 3,500 sq ft with furnace heat plus water heater and cooking.
- 1,000-gallon tank: large homes over 3,500 sq ft, cold climates, or homes with generator backup.
Your base size comes from your home's square footage: under 1,800 sq ft starts at 250 gallons, 1,800–2,499 at 320 gallons, 2,500–3,500 at 500 gallons, and over 3,500 at 1,000 gallons. The calculator then bumps you up one size if you checked 4 or more appliances, or if you have a furnace in a cold climate. The largest residential size is 1,000 gallons.
Annual usage is a rough estimate, not a bill: a furnace uses about 0.35 gallons per square foot per year in a moderate climate (about 0.5 in cold climates, about 0.25 in mild ones), plus roughly 200 gallons for a water heater, 60 for a stove, 80 for a dryer, 100 for a fireplace, and 150 for a standby generator. Refills per year equal your estimated annual gallons divided by the tank's usable capacity — propane tanks are only filled to 80%, so a 500-gallon tank holds about 400 usable gallons.
Frequently asked questions
What size propane tank do I need for my house?
It depends on your home's size, how many propane appliances you run, and your climate. As a rough guide, a 500-gallon tank suits most whole-house setups around 2,500 to 3,500 square feet with furnace heat, hot water, and cooking, while 120 to 250 gallons cover smaller homes or cooking-only use. Enter your details above for a tailored recommendation.
How many gallons does a 500-gallon propane tank actually hold?
About 400 gallons. Propane tanks are only filled to 80 percent of their rated capacity to leave room for the liquid to expand as temperatures change, so a 500-gallon tank holds roughly 400 usable gallons.
How often will I need to refill my propane tank?
Divide your estimated yearly usage by the tank's usable capacity, which is its rated size times 0.8. For example, a home using 1,300 gallons a year with a 500-gallon tank would need about 3 to 4 refills per year. Many dealers offer automatic delivery so you never have to track it yourself.
Should I put my propane tank above ground or bury it underground?
Above-ground tanks are cheaper to install, easier to inspect, and usually faster to service. Underground tanks cost more up front and need corrosion protection, but they keep your yard clear and protect the tank from weather. Both options are safe when installed to code, so most homeowners choose based on budget and yard space.
Is a bigger propane tank always better?
Not always. A bigger tank means fewer deliveries and sometimes a better price per gallon, but it also costs more to install, needs more yard space, and must meet setback distances from your home and property lines. Your propane dealer may also have minimum delivery amounts, so the best size is the smallest tank that comfortably covers a full heating season between fills.