How long a full 500-gallon propane tank lasts
Approximate days from a typical full delivery of 400 gallons, if propane heats the home and its hot water.
| Weather | Small home | Average home | Large home | Very large home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild — around 50°F | 250 days | 182 days | 136 days | 108 days |
| Cool — around 40°F | 182 days | 125 days | 90 days | 70 days |
| Cold — around 30°F | 143 days | 95 days | 67 days | 52 days |
| Very cold — around 20°F | 118 days | 77 days | 54 days | 41 days |
| Bitter — around 10°F | 100 days | 65 days | 45 days | 34 days |
Home sizes: small about 1,200 sq ft, average 2,000, large 3,000, very large 4,000. Older, draughty homes use more; well-insulated homes with efficient equipment use less.
How we work it out
Heating use rises as it gets colder outside. We estimate daily use from the gap between 65°F and the average outdoor temperature, scaled to your home's size, plus a small amount for hot water and cooking. The rates come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's figures for how much propane the average heated home uses in a winter. If you know your own use from past delivery tickets (gallons delivered ÷ days since the last delivery), type it in for a more accurate answer.
Propane gauges show the percentage of the tank's total size. Tanks are filled to about 80%, and most suppliers suggest calling for a refill at about 30%, so we count the days until you reach that level.
Common questions
How long will 100 gallons of propane last?
For an average-size home (about 2,000 sq ft) that also uses propane for hot water, about 31 days at 40°F, 24 days at 30°F and 19 days at 20°F.
How long does a 500-gallon propane tank last?
A 500-gallon tank holds about 400 gallons when full. For an average home heated by propane, that's roughly 95 days in cold (30°F) weather and 182 days in mild weather.
How long does a 20 lb propane tank last?
A 20 lb grill cylinder holds about 4.7 gallons. On a typical gas grill at medium heat that's around 18–20 hours of cooking. It isn't meant for heating a home.
What will my next delivery cost?
This week's U.S. average is $2.73 a gallon before tax. Pick your state in the calculator above, or see propane prices by state.
Heat with oil? See how long your heating oil will last.