Understanding Propane Gas Tank Sizes & Prices: Everything You Need to Know

What You’ll Learn

What propane tank size do I need for my home?

Tank sizes go from 20 pounds to 1,000 gallons.

When looking at propane tank sizes, it’s important to know local capacity rules and fill pricing so you can fit your budget.

It’s also important to know how many appliances in your house will be powered by propane.

Read to learn about which size is right for you.

In this blog:

This blog was updated January 2026.

You’re in the market for a new propane tank.

You see your neighbors refill their 325-pound propane tank and wonder, “Is that the right size for me?”

The answer doesn’t come from looking at their tank; it comes from looking at your own house.

Their tank size is based on their square footage, their appliances, and their family’s habits.

Yours will be too.

A tank too small leaves you worrying about mid-winter run-outs. A tank too large ties up your budget in steel you don’t need.

This guide will walk you through common propane tank sizes, what they power, and how to match one to your home’s specific fuel needs—so you can stop guessing and start feeling secure.

What is Propane?

Propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic gas that is used in homes for furnaces, water heaters, stoves, dryers, and more. This gas is highly flammable and can pose a threat if leaked. This is why propane has an odorant added to it so people can smell the gas if it is leaking.

What You Need to Know About Propane Tanks, Sizes, and Prices

Capacity – If you are new to propane, know that a propane tank can only be filled to 80% of its capacity for safety precautions. The 20% capacity left in the tank will give room for gas expansion when temperatures rise.

On many propane gas tank sizes, there is a safety flapper valve that won’t allow a tank to be filled above 80%.

Tank Recertification – Stationary propane tanks are required by the DOT and NFPA to be recertified periodically.

This recertification needs to be done twelve years from the date manufactured and every five years after the first recertification.

Building Codes – If you have an underground propane tank, it must be at least 10 feet away from the building, property, and away from any traffic.

Fill Pricing – Most propane companies sell propane by the pound or by the gallon. It’s essential to know that there are 4.24 lbs in one gallon of propane.

Propane Gas Tank Sizes

These are the most common propane gas tank sizes used in a residential setting:

20 Lb Tank

This propane tank measures approximately 18″ tall and 12″ in diameter. It holds up to 5 gallons of propane, is portable, and light enough to pick up. These are the standard tanks used for barbecue grills. You can exchange them at a propane station or have them refilled.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $35-$50
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $15-$20

33 Lb Tank

The 33 lb tank is approximately 2 feet tall and 1 foot in diameter. This size holds about 8 gallons of propane and is also portable. Barbecue grills and propane heaters use these tanks. Like 20 lb tanks, they can be refilled or exchanged.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $50-$60
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $25-$35

100 Lb Tank

The 100 lb tank is approximately 4 feet tall and about 20″ in diameter. It holds approximately 25 gallons of propane and is portable with help (like a hand truck). Unlike the smaller tanks mentioned, these tanks are typically refilled at a propane refill station but can sometimes be exchanged.

They are commonly used for appliances in RVs and motorhomes. They are not designed for permanent installation to fuel a standard house.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $120-$150
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $70-$100

120 Gallon Tank

These propane gas tanks are 5.5 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter, and are suitable for homes that use two to three LP gas appliances such as water heaters, clothes dryers, gas furnaces, and LP stoves. They are a common size for mobile homes, cabins, or as a supplemental tank.

The tank must be permanently installed on a stable, level base, such as a concrete pad. When full to the standard 80% capacity, it holds about 96 gallons of propane.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $400-$520
• Portable – No, but can be permanently attached to a mobile home
• Exchangeable – No
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $350-$550

325 Gallon Tank

A 325-gallon tank is about 10 feet long and 30″ in diameter. This size is a good fit for a medium to larger home that uses propane for heating and several major appliances.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $1,200-$1,500
• Portable – No
• Exchangeable – No
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $650-$900

500 Gallon Tank

This size of tank has enough capacity to heat a house, power backup generators, heat a pool, or run several appliances. A 500-gallon tank saves you from having multiple fill-ups for a home in the range of 2,500-4,500 square feet. It usually measures about 9.5 feet long and 3 feet in diameter.

A 500-gallon tank can be placed below ground or above ground and holds about 400 gallons when filled to 80% capacity.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $1,600-$1,900
• Portable – No
• Exchangeable – No
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – Yes
• Average Cost to Fill – $1,000-$1,400

1,000 Gallon Tank

This is the tank for a large home that uses a gas furnace as the primary heat source or for high-demand applications. It meets the needs of large homes, businesses, farms, or anyone who uses a significant amount of propane year-round.

This tank is useful if you want to reduce the number of times you fill your tank per year. You might consider automatic delivery if you have a 1,000-gallon tank and use propane as your primary source of fuel.

A tank this size is seen in places where the climate gets cold and bitter, since gas heat burns cleaner and heats up faster than electric heat.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $2,500-$2,600
• Portable – No
• Exchangeable – No
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – Yes, typically
• Average Cost to Fill – $2,000-$2,800

Which Tank is Best for Me?

This question all depends on your application. Small outdoor appliances such as barbecue grills and outdoor heaters commonly use 20-30 lb tanks. RV’s and motorhomes will use propane gas tank sizes between 100 to 120lbs.

If you have a small house and are powering small LP gas-powered appliances, a 325-gallon tank should satisfy your needs. If you have a larger home and use propane as your primary source of heat, we suggest going with a tank that is 500 gallons or higher.

Here at Kauffman Gas, we are here to service any of your propane needs.

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.

Whether you’re moving to a new house that uses propane, making the switch from oil to propane gas, or have any questions regarding propane gas tank sizes, installation, or propane in general, please contact us.

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