4 Different Propane Gas Tank Sizes & Their Common Uses

What You’ll Learn

What are my options for residential propane gas tank sizes?

100 lb, 100 gallon, 500 gallon, and 1,000 gallon tanks are the most common propane tank sizes available

To find the right one for you, you should consider how big your home is, how often you’ll use propane, and what you’ll use it for to get a proper idea of the tank size you need.

In this blog:

This blog was updated January 2026.

Your propane tank was just refilled for the third time this winter.

You wonder if there’s a better way—a tank that needs fewer deliveries, offers better value, and gives you one less thing to manage.

Choosing the right size makes all the difference.

Let’s look at the four most common tank sizes and find the one that fits your home and your life.

What Propane Gas Tank Size is Best for My Home

The most common propane gas tank sizes for residences include 100-lb, 100-gallon, and 500-gallon tanks.

But the best size for your home depends on usage. Whether you’re just getting started with propane heating or you’re moving into a new place where you’re not quite sure how much you’ll need, it’s good to re-evaluate what size propane tank you need.

Choosing the right size propane gas tank can save you money. There are several propane tank sizes to choose from, so let’s figure out which is right for you.

Propane gas tank sizes typically used in the southeastern Pennsylvania homes we serve range from 100lbs at the smallest to 500 gallons for larger homes. Larger tanks are available, but they are usually used for commercial purposes.

4 Most Common Propane Gas Tank Sizes and Their Usage

100lb Propane Tank

100lb propane tanks are great for mixed heating systems or residences with limited propane usage.

• Common usage: 100lb propane tanks are commonly used for cooking and drying clothes.
• Placement: Above Ground
• Volume: 23.6 gallons

100-Gallon Propane Tank

Small residences that use propane for whole-house heating often have a tank of at least 100 gallons (not pounds).

• Common usage: Whole-house heating and gas cooking range for small residences and mobile homes. Many mobile homes use two 100-gallon propane tanks to heat their homes.
• Placement: Above Ground

500 Gallon Propane Tank

Many homes with 1,500+ square feet choose to upgrade to a 500-gallon propane tank. Because it holds more, homeowners don’t have to fill up as often.

• Common usage: Fueling propane furnaces, gas fireplaces, gas ranges, gas water heaters, and gas clothes dryers. Homes often use propane to fuel 2 or more appliances.
• Placement: Above Ground or Buried Underground

1000 Gallon Propane Tank

These extra-large propane tanks are most common for agricultural customers and commercial businesses. Although rarer for residences, these are not unheard of. With a higher one-time investment, you’ll have greater control over when and where you fill up your tank. If you consistently buy at a low price, the savings can add up within a few years.

• Common usage: Fueling businesses, agricultural machines, and large homes
• Placement: Above ground or Buried Underground

The right propane gas tank size also depends on how much propane gas your appliances use.

In addition to the furnace, remember that dryers use 15-25 gallons of propane per year, gas ranges 25-50, and water heaters between 200-300 gallons, depending on the size of your family.

Things to Consider When You Choose Your Propane Gas Tank Size

Propane doesn’t go bad with time

If you have a good place to store your propane tanks, you could hold the gas for many years before using it. This is a huge advantage over diesel and other standard fuels that eventually go bad in storage. Although the pressure seals of propane tanks can become faulty, this is less likely if they are stored correctly.

How often you use propane and what you use propane for

There are two schools of thought regarding the right propane tank sizes. Generally, you’ll use your tank only during the winter, and it’ll sit idle all through the warmer months, so you can save on gas costs by choosing the smallest tank that meets your needs.

This is common when you have limited space for your tank or can’t use underground storage to conserve space.

On the other hand, if you have a large budget or prefer to be “prepared for anything,” a larger tank may be appropriate.

Homeowners who choose to buy a larger tank can fill up on propane when prices are at their lowest and might not have to refill during the winter.

Square footage of your home and the total BTU of propane gas appliances

Using the square footage of your home and the total BTU load of all your appliances, you may be able to get a good estimate of your average propane use in a year.

This is becoming easier as more appliances integrate “smart” technology to measure and reduce your usage. Generally speaking, though, a close estimate will be fine for most homes.

You should upgrade your propane gas tank size if your usage increases

Propane makes it easy for you to scale your usage up or down as your needs change. Don’t be too worried about making the “wrong” choice. After the first year, you’ll have a much clearer idea of your needs and can refine your heating approach to save even more money.

Switch without losing what you’ve paid for.

When you become a Kauffman Gas customer, you will receive a gallon-for-gallon credit for up to 200 gallons of the propane you’ve already paid for from your current provider.

Become a Kauffman Gas customer today!

FAQs