Posted: July 20, 2026

Your Guide to Propane Tank Sizes

Small vs. Large Tanks for Different Needs

When it comes to propane storage tanks, size matters. To know what size tank you need, you need to know how you will use your propane, whether it’s just for cooking, heating water, heating your home or business, or for other industrial uses. There are a lot of variables to consider, and we have the expertise to help you take the guesswork out of calculating the best size tank for your needs.

Whether you’re new to propane or just need to replace your tank, we’re here to answer all your questions and help you understand all your options when it comes to propane tank sizes. And once we’ve helped you determine the best size tank for your needs, our pros can help determine the best location for your tank and make sure it’s installed safely.

Gallons or Pounds?

Before you start thinking about sizes, it’s helpful to understand how propane is measured for delivery. Unlike portable propane tanks, which give their capacity in pounds, residential and commercial propane tank sizes are usually given as their water capacity volume in gallons. Since propane is stored in a liquid state under pressure, it needs room to expand into a vapor. That’s also why propane tanks are “filled” to 80% of their water capacity. For example, a 120-gallon tank will hold approximately 100 gallons of propane when “completely” full.

Residential Tanks

Residential propane tanks typically range from 120 gallons to 500 gallons. If you plan to use propane for a gas grill, patio heater, outdoor cookstove, or RV, a 40- to 100-pound refillable portable cylinder tank is what you want.

• 120-gallon propane tank: This size tank is perfect if you only use propane for water heating, space heating, a range, or a clothes dryer.
• 150-gallon propane tank: If you have one or two low-Btu appliances, such as a water heater, cooking range, space heaters, wall heaters, or a clothes dryer, this size tank should provide ample propane.
• 250-gallon propane tank: For three or more propane appliances like ranges, water heaters, or fireplaces, but not a furnace or boiler, you may need to go up to this size.
• 500-gallon propane tank: This is the minimum you’ll need if you heat your home with propane. You’ll have enough propane to also fuel appliances including fireplaces, ranges, and water heaters.

Commercial Propane

Propane is a versatile and efficient option for fueling a range of commercial and industrial uses, from hospitality to agriculture to manufacturing, and even autogas. Our expert team can help you assess your needs to get the best value from propane for your business, install any systems you need, and provide reliable propane deliveries to make sure your operation runs smoothly.

Need to refill forklift cylinders? We can come to your business or worksite and take care of that for you. We can also set up an on-site propane cylinder cage at your Northern Vermont business so that you can sell grill and camper tanks.

Reliable Propane Delivery

Once you have your tank, you’ll want to ensure you have reliable propane delivery service so you always have propane. You want a company that puts customers first. That inherently means offering fair, transparent pricing, but it also means offering real value and true reliability, with products and services designed to make your life easier. Automatic delivery service or a wireless tank monitor, we offer both, can help ensure you never run out and provide added peace of mind.

Find out why residential and commercial customers from Burlington to Brattleboro and across Vermont trust Roberts for all their propane and heating oil needs. Contact us to become a customer today.