Free Tool
Propane Tank Life Calculator
How long will your propane last? Select your tank size, gauge reading, and what you primarily use propane for. Get an estimated days remaining, empty date, and recommended reorder date.
About the Daily Usage Estimates
The usage rates used in this calculator are representative averages based on typical propane appliance consumption:
| Use Case | Avg Daily Usage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home heating (main) | ~3.5 gal/day | Averaged across heating season; heavy use days will be higher |
| Cooking + hot water only | ~0.8 gal/day | No heating; moderate kitchen and water heater use |
| Home heating + cooking + HW | ~5.0 gal/day | Full propane home; averaged across heating season |
| RV (cooking + some heating) | ~1.2 gal/day | Mixed camping conditions; cold nights add significantly more |
| RV cooking only | ~0.3 gal/day | Warm weather camping, cooking 30–45 min/day |
| Generator (moderate) | ~1.0 gal/hr when running | Based on 10,000W generator at ~50% load |
| Grill only | ~0.15 gal/session | Per grilling session; ~1 hour at moderate heat |
For home heating, these averages assume a mix of warmer and colder days through a typical heating season. On very cold days, a propane furnace can easily consume 2–3× the average daily rate. On mild days, it might run barely at all.
The only way to get a number that truly reflects your specific home, appliance, and climate is to track your actual gauge readings over time. PropanePal does this automatically — after a few weeks of logging, it calculates your real daily usage rate and uses it for predictions.
Why the Reorder Threshold Is Set at 20%
This calculator flags your reorder date at 20% of tank capacity — slightly more conservative than the 20–30% range most suppliers recommend. For a 500-gallon tank, 20% is 80 gallons — enough buffer for most deliveries. If you're at a remote property or ordering during peak winter demand, consider ordering earlier.
See the full guide: When to Reorder Propane
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Get Accurate Predictions From Your Real Readings
PropanePal uses your actual gauge history — not generic averages — to predict your reorder date. Free for iPhone.