Propane tank weights empty and full start at 1.3 pounds empty and 2.3 pounds full up to 215 pounds empty and 555 pounds full for sizes from 1 pound to 100 gallons.
How much does a full propane tank weigh? They can weigh as much as 5,000lbs full!
This page publishes complete charts for propane tank empty and full weights for 1 to 100 pound tanks and 5 to 1,000 gallon tanks.
It answers two key questions for propane tank weights:
- How much does an empty propane tank weigh?
- How much does a full propane tank weigh?
See the propane tank weight chart below – there are two, actually. The first is for tanks from 1 to 100 pounds.
The second chart is for propane tanks from 5 to 1000 gallons.
Propane Tank Empty Weight – How to Find It
The weight of a propane tank when empty is the tare weight, which is abbreviated TW. That is important to know, because the TW or weight of the tank is stamped on the tank’s steel collar.
Propane Tank Weight Chart – 1 to 100 Pounds
This propane tank weight chart shows the weight of the tanks plus the weight of the propane for a total weight.
1-100 Lb Propane Tank Weight Chart
| Propane Tank Size | Weight Of Empty Propane Tank (Average for Steel) | Weight Of Full Propane Tank |
| 1 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 2.3 lbs |
| 5 lbs | 10 lbs | 15 lbs |
| 15 lbs | 15 lbs | 30 lbs |
| 20 lbs | 18 lbs | 38 lbs |
| 30 lbs | 25 lbs | 55 lbs |
| 40 lbs | 32 lbs | 72 lbs |
| 50 lbs | 42 lbs | 92 lbs |
| 60 lbs | 46 lbs | 106 lbs |
| 100 lbs | 70 lbs | 170 lbs |
How much does a full 20 lb propane tank weigh?
A 20 pound propane tank weighs 16-18 pounds empty and 36 to 38 pounds when full.
What is the weight of full 40 lb propane tank?
A full 40 pound propane tank weighs 72 pounds.
How much does a 100lb propane tank weigh?
A 100lb propane tank weighs 70lbs empty and 170lbs when full.
How much does a 30 lb propane tank weigh?
A 30 lb propane tank weighs 25lbs empty and 55lbs full.
The tare weight of steel tanks varies by manufacturer. For example, we regularly find 20lb propane tanks with TW stampings of 16.6 to 18.0 pounds. Note these images taken of 20lb propane tanks.
Where do we get our tank weights? We use tank weights supplied by one of the leading manufacturers of propane tanks – Manchester Tank USA. As noted, your tank might be a different weight. They vary across the industry by about 5%.
How do you determine the total weight of a propane tank? For tanks measured in pounds, as in the chart above, the math is simple: Add the number of pounds of propane the tank can hold, and you have the total weight when it is full.
Isn’t there something about only filling a tank 80% full? 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, understand that it does not apply to tanks measured by pounds.
A 20 pound tank is designed to hold 20 pounds of propane, and so forth. By the way, another short-hand for pounds is #. A 30# tank holds 30 pounds or 30lbs of propane.
How much propane is left in my tank?
Weigh the tank, and subtract the TW or tare weight. A 20lb tank that weighs 32 pounds and has a TW of 17 has 15 pounds of propane in it: 32-17=15.
Propane Tank Weight Chart – 5 to 1,000 Pounds
OK, now we look at tanks measured in gallons.
The 80% rule applies here.
Reminder: Tare Weight, or TW stamped on the tank, varies by manufacturer. We use the averages for the industry. See the TW stamp on your tank for the exact weight.
5-1000 Gallons Propane Tank Weight Chart
| Propane Tank Size | Weight Of Empty Propane Tank | Weight Of Full Propane Tank |
| 5 gallon | 15 lbs | 32 lbs |
| 20 gallon | 50 lbs | 118 lbs |
| 100 gallon | 215 lbs | 555 lbs |
| 120 gallon | 260 lbs | 668 lbs |
| 150 gallon | 315 lbs | 825 lbs |
| 250 gallon | 485 lbs | 1335 lbs |
| 325 gallon | 600 lbs | 1705 lbs |
| 330 gallon | 610 lbs | 1732 lbs |
| 500 gallon | 950 lbs | 2650 lbs |
| 1000 gallon | 1760 lbs | 5160 lbs |
How much does a 500 gallon propane tank weigh?
A 500 gallon propane tank weighs 950 pounds empty and 2,650 pounds full.
How much does a 250 gallon propane tank weigh?
A 250 gallon propane tank weighs 485 pounds empty and 1,335 pounds when filled with propane.
What is the weight of 1000 gallon propane tank?
The weight of a 1000 gallon propane tank is 1,760 pounds empty and 5,160 pounds when full.
How do you calculate the full weight of a propane tank?
Here’s how you do the math – which we have done for you in the chart below:
Tank size x 0.80 (max capacity) x 4.25 (propane weight per pound) + empty tank weight = total tank weight
Are you getting cheated by your propane seller?
You might be. If you think those propane tank exchange places are giving you a full tank, you might want this information. First, many of them list a “Minimum” fill number well below 20 pounds.
When this guy tested a few 20lb propane tanks at the exchange location, they were all well below 20 pounds. Note, you’re paying for 20 gallons, and they promise a minimum of 15lbs. And some were below the “Minimum” advertised.
When you bring home your exchange tank, weigh it. Then subtract the TW (tare weight, or tank weight stamped on the tank’s collar). That’s how much propane you got in your “20lb” tank when you paid for 20 pounds worth of propane.
How widespread is the cheating?
Apparently it is pretty common. In fact, as one example, a pair of the largest propane tank exchange companies, Amerigas and Blue Rhino, were hit with a class action lawsuit over conspiring to reduce the amount of propane in 20lbs tanks at exchange locations from 17lbs to 15lbs.
