How Much Do Propane Tanks Weigh When They’re Empty?

Empty and full propane tank weights start at 13 pounds empty and 23 pounds full up to 215 pounds empty and 555 pounds full for sizes from 1 pound to 100 gallons

This page posts complete tables for empty propane tanks and complete weights for 1 to 100 pound tanks and 5 to 1,000 gallon tanks

Answer two key questions about propane tank weights:

See the propane tank weight chart below; actually, there are two

The first is for tanks from 1 to 100 pounds

The second table is for propane tanks from 5 to 1000 gallons

The weight of a propane tank when empty is the tare weight, abbreviated TW

This is important to know, because the tank’s TW or weight is stamped on the tank’s steel collar

This propane tank weight chart shows the weight of the tanks plus the weight of the propane for a total weight

Table of weights of propane tanks from 1 to 100 pounds

Propane Tank Size Empty Propane Tank Weight (average for steel) Full Propane Tank Weight

A 20 pound propane tank weighs 16 to 18 pounds empty and 36 to 38 pounds when full

A 30 lb propane tank weighs 25 lb empty and 55 lb full

A 30 lb propane tank weighs 25 lb empty and 55 lb full

The tare weight of steel tanks varies by manufacturer

For example, we regularly find 20 pound propane tanks with TW stampings from 166 to 180 pounds

Consider these images taken from 20 pound propane tanks

Where do we get the weights for our tanks?

We use tank weights supplied by one of the leading manufacturers of propane tanks – Manchester Tank USA

As noted, your tank could have a different weight

How is the total weight of a propane tank determined?

For tanks that are measured in pounds, like the table above, the math is simple: add the number of pounds of propane the tank can hold, and you have the total weight when full

Isn’t there something about only filling a tank to 80% capacity?

Yes, but that applies to tanks that are listed by the gallon

A 100 gallon tank, for example, should only be filled to 80% or a maximum of 80 gallons

More on that later, but for now, please understand that it doesn’t apply to tanks measured in pounds

A 20-pound tank is designed to hold 20 pounds of propane, and so on

A #30 tank holds 30 pounds or 30 pounds of propane

How much propane is left in my tank?

Weigh the tank and subtract the TW or tare

A 20 pound tank that weighs 32 pounds and has a TW of 17 has 15 pounds of propane: 32-17=15

A 20 pound tank that weighs 32 pounds and has a TW of 17 has 15 pounds of propane: 32-17=15

Propane Tank Weight Chart: 5 to 1,000 pounds

Propane Tank Weight Chart: 5 to 1,000 pounds

OK, now we look at the tanks measured in gallons

Reminder: The tare weight, or TW stamped on the tank, varies by manufacturer

See the TW stamp on your tank for exact weight

5-1000 Gallon Propane Tank Weight Chart

A 500-gallon propane tank weighs 950 pounds empty and 2,650 pounds full

A 250-gallon propane tank weighs 485 pounds empty and 1,335 pounds when full of propane

What is the weight of the 1000 gallon propane tank?

The weight of a 1,000-gallon propane tank is 1,760 pounds empty and 5,160 pounds when full

How is the total weight of a propane tank calculated?

Tank size x 080 (maximum capacity) x 425 (propane weight per pound) + empty tank weight = total tank weight

First, many of them list a “Minimum” fill number well under 20 pounds

When this guy tested a few 20lb propane tanks at the trade-in, they were all well under 20lbs

When you bring home your swap tank, weigh it

Then subtract the TW (tare weight or tank weight stamped on the tank collar)

That is the amount of propane you got in your “20 pound” tank when you paid for 20 pounds of propane

If you use propane to power your home appliances, it is vital to understand the various properties of this gas and how it is stored

When it comes to weight, each propane tank has a “tare weight” stamped on the neck of the tank

The tare weight indicates the total weight of the tank when empty

When empty, most 20-pound propane tanks have a tare weight of around 17 pounds, so a full 20-pound tank weighs about 37 pounds total

To determine how much propane is in your tank, subtract the tare weight from the total weight and divide by 425 pounds (the weight of one gallon of propane)

There are different sizes of propane tanks available, ranging from small propane tanks that weigh between 5 and 20 pounds to standard propane tanks that weigh between 25 and 420 pounds

The exact weight of the tank is determined by the size of the propane tank used

Let’s take a closer look at the sizes and weights so you can calculate how much your tank weighs

When propane tanks are full they are quite heavy

The bigger the tank, the heavier it is

When you get really big horizontal and vertical tanks you will need assistance or machinery to move them

Standard propane tank sizes range from 20 to 100 pounds

These propane tanks are heavier when full

For standard size tanks, add the tare weight and the propane tank weight to determine the total weight of the full tank

For example, most 20 pound tanks have a tare weight, or TW, of about 17 pounds

This means that a full 20 pound propane tank weighs approximately 37 pounds

How to tell if your propane tank is full

How to tell if your propane tank is full

In the section, we’ll look at three ways you can tell if your propane tank is full

Pour warm water over the tank, then use your hand to feel the outside of the tank and check its temperature

The water will heat the body of the tank, with the liquid propane inside keeping the tank cool at the same time

Feel the body of the tank and take note of where the temperature changes from warm to cold

The arrow indicates how much fuel is left in the tank

A good option is the DozyAnt tank gauge (on Amazon)

You can use a portable hanging scale, like the H-Series Digital Hanging Scale (on Amazon), or attach the tank to your bathroom scale

You should find the tare weight indicated on the neck of the tank, and a gallon of LP liquid weighs approximately 425 pounds

Subtract the tare weight from the total weight after weighing your tank

Yes, propane weighs more than natural gas

If there is a leak indoors, the natural gas will concentrate higher at ceiling level, while the propane will concentrate at floor level

The reason is that if you place a propane tank outside in cold temperatures and then place it in a warm space like a garage or basement, the gas will begin to expand as the tank warms up

When the temperature gets too high, the tank relief valve will release a small amount of gas

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(And are they any good?) How do you use a water level hose? Are they accurate? How much does it cost to fill a 500 gallon propane tank? How much does it cost to convert a house to propane? Too much mulch can harm plants?

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