Propane Usage Calculator
Estimate how fast an appliance burns through a propane tank, in gallons per day and days per tank, so you can plan refills before a cold snap does it for you.
Your results
Worked example
A 60,000 BTU per hour furnace running 6 hours a day, on a 100 lb tank:
- Daily use: 60,000 × 6 = 360,000 BTU per day, and 360,000 ÷ 91,500 = 3.93 gallons per day
- Tank contents: 100 lb ÷ 4.24 lb per gallon = 23.6 gallons, holding 23.6 × 91,500 = about 2,158,000 BTU
- Days per tank: 2,158,019 ÷ 360,000 = 6.0 days
How this calculator works
One US gallon of propane holds about 91,500 BTU, and one gallon weighs about 4.24 lb, which is how pound-rated tanks are converted. Appliance ratings are input BTU; a furnace cycling on and off uses less than its full rating over an hour, so real-world tanks usually last somewhat longer than this estimate.
Common questions
Why does my tank gauge read 80 percent when full?
Propane tanks are filled to about 80 percent of their water capacity to leave room for the liquid to expand with temperature. A freshly filled tank reading 80 percent is full, and the usable fuel is what this calculator estimates from the rated size.
How much propane does a barbecue use?
A typical grill burner is 30,000 to 40,000 BTU per hour. At one hour of grilling a day, a 20 lb tank (about 4.7 gallons) lasts roughly 11 to 14 days of daily use, which is why a summer of weekend grilling fits in one or two tanks.
Estimates only. Results are provided for planning purposes and are based on the figures and assumptions shown on this page. Actual usage varies with appliance efficiency, cycling, and temperature. Never let a heating tank run completely dry without following your supplier's restart procedure. Mississippi Maple accepts no liability for decisions made using this calculator.