How Much Fuel Is In My Tank?
How to read your tank gauge
Learn how to read your propane or heating oil tank gauge. For a more detailed guide, navigate to your tank-specific guide below.
How to read your propane tank gauge
First, you need to know the size of your tank. Then, look at your gauge, which is located underneath the hood-type cover on top of your tank. The gauge will look similar to the one shown here. To leave room for the gas to expand, your propane tank is considered full at 80%. So, if your tank gauge reads 70% and your tank size is:
- 58 gallons, then you have 41 gallons
- 118 gallons, then you have 83 gallons
- 120 gallons, then you have 84 gallons
- 250 gallons, then you have 175 gallons
- 500 gallons, then you have 350 gallons
Based upon your propane tank size and your propane tank gauge reading, the below grid represents the approximate number of gallons you have left in your propane tank.
Tank Size (Gallons) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank % | 58 | 120 | 250 | 325 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 5% | 3 | 6 | 13 | 16 | 25 | 50 |
| 10% | 6 | 12 | 25 | 33 | 50 | 100 |
| 15% | 9 | 18 | 38 | 49 | 75 | 150 |
| 20% | 12 | 24 | 50 | 65 | 100 | 200 |
| 25% | 15 | 30 | 63 | 81 | 125 | 250 |
| 30% | 17 | 36 | 75 | 98 | 150 | 300 |
| 35% | 20 | 42 | 88 | 114 | 175 | 350 |
| 40% | 23 | 48 | 100 | 130 | 200 | 400 |
| 45% | 26 | 54 | 113 | 146 | 225 | 450 |
| 50% | 29 | 60 | 125 | 163 | 250 | 500 |
| 55% | 32 | 66 | 138 | 179 | 275 | 550 |
| 60% | 35 | 72 | 150 | 195 | 300 | 600 |
| 65% | 38 | 78 | 163 | 211 | 325 | 650 |
| 70% | 41 | 84 | 175 | 228 | 350 | 700 |
| 75% | 44 | 90 | 188 | 244 | 375 | 750 |
| 80% | 46 | 96 | 200 | 260 | 400 | 800 |
Propane tank gauge
How to Read Your Oil Tank Gauge
Most heating oil tanks are 275 gallons in size and reading your gauge is like reading the gas gauge in your car. Read the gauge on the top of your tank. It will tell you if you are ½ full, ¼ full, or near empty. It should look like one of the gauges shown here.
Based upon your oil tank gauge reading, the below grid represents the approximate number of gallons remaining in your heating oil tank (based on a 275-gallon tank).
| Level | Gallons |
|---|---|
| 1/8 | 30 |
| 1/4 | 60 |
| 3/8 | 90 |
| 1/2 | 120 |
| 5/8 | 160 |
| 3/4 | 180 |
| 7/8 | 210 |
| Full | 240 |
Heating Oil tank gauge
