Enter your generator's propane burn rate and desired backup days to size the right tank.
Standard residential propane tanks come in 100, 250, 500, and 1000 gallon sizes — always keep some buffer above the calculated minimum.
Propane's lower energy density than gasoline (see our fuel consumption calculator for a side-by-side) means larger tanks are typically needed for the same runtime — but propane's indefinite shelf life makes it the preferred choice for infrequent, multi-day backup scenarios rather than daily use.
Yes — standard sizes (100, 250, 500, 1000 gallon) are what's commonly available for delivery and installation, so round up from the calculated minimum rather than trying to source an exact custom size.
Yes, and it also means fewer deliveries during a regional emergency when propane suppliers may be stretched thin — many off-grid and rural backup setups intentionally oversize for that reason.