Propane Usage Calculator
Estimate how long a propane tank lasts for your grill, heater, or generator, and what each hour of use costs.
Processed locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
On the data plate or in the manual — this is the max-output draw.
Burners rarely run wide open; 50–75% is common.
A full 20 lb tank holds about 430,000 BTU.
Results
- Burn time per tank
- 19.1 hours
Estimates assume the tank is filled to capacity (exchanges are often only ~80% full) and a steady draw at the chosen usage level.
About Propane Usage Calculator
A 20 lb propane tank holds roughly 430,000 BTU. Divide that by your appliance's draw — its BTU/hr rating times how hard you actually run it — and you get burn hours per tank; add your refill price for cost per hour. Presets cover typical grills (30k BTU/hr), patio heaters (40k), generators (90k), and more, and every number is editable.
Common uses
- Check whether the tank will last through a cookout or party
- Budget patio heater running costs for a season
- Plan generator fuel for an outage
Example
Input
30,000 BTU/hr grill at 75%, 20 lb tank, $22 refill
Output
19.1 hours per tank · $1.15 per hour
Limitations
- Appliance ratings are maximum output; real draw depends on settings and weather.
- Tank exchanges are often filled to ~80% of capacity, and BTU-per-tank figures are nominal — treat results as planning estimates.