Camp Stove Fuel Calculator
Hot drink ~250 ml, dehydrated meal ~500 ml, full cook ~750–1000 ml
Recommended 10–25% buffer for wind, spills, and unexpected stops
Enter 0 for sea level. A +10% adjustment is applied above 10,000 ft.
Optional. Select to pin results to a specific canister size; leave unselected for the auto-recommended size.
Enter Your Trip Details
Fill in the number of people, days, and water needs above to get your personalised fuel estimate and canister recommendation.
How to Use This Calculator
Choose Your Trip Type
Start by selecting a trip type preset — Ultralight Fastpacker, Weekend Warrior, Car Camping, or Winter Expedition — to automatically populate sensible defaults for your group size, days, water needs, stove type, weather, and safety margin. You can then fine-tune any individual field.
Enter Your Stove and Conditions
Select your stove type or use the stove model quick-pick to auto-set the correct efficiency class. Choose your weather conditions (normal, cold below 40°F, or snow melting) and enter your trip altitude in feet. These factors significantly affect fuel consumption — snow melting uses twice the fuel of normal conditions.
Review Fuel and Canister Recommendations
The results panel shows your total fuel requirement in grams and ounces, your daily and per-person breakdown, and the recommended canister size. The canister comparison table shows all standard sizes side by side with surplus fuel and total pack weight so you can make the best choice for your situation.
Check Partial Canisters
Before your trip, switch to Partial Canister Check mode and weigh each partially-used canister on a kitchen scale. Enter the full-weight reference (from the canister box or online) and your current weight to instantly see remaining fuel and how many days it will last. Export the complete plan as CSV for your gear checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much camp stove fuel do I need per person per day?
A commonly used rule of thumb is 10–15 g of fuel per person per day for a backpacking trip with a conventional stove, assuming you boil about 500–750 ml of water per person per day (for breakfast, hot drinks, and a dehydrated dinner). However, this varies significantly by stove efficiency, temperature, and cooking style. In cold conditions or when melting snow, expect to use 20–30 g or more per person per day. High-efficiency heat-exchanger stoves like the Jetboil Flash can cut fuel use by 25–30% compared to conventional stoves, potentially dropping daily consumption to 7–10 g per person under ideal conditions.
How do I check how much fuel is left in my canister?
The best method is to weigh the canister on a digital kitchen scale. A brand-new 220 g canister typically weighs around 350 g total (220 g fuel + 130 g shell). If your used canister now weighs 250 g, you have approximately 120 g of fuel remaining (250 − 130 = 120 g). You can also use the Partial Canister Check mode in this calculator — enter the rated capacity, the full-canister reference weight, and the current weight, and the tool calculates remaining fuel and days of cooking time instantly. The water float test (seeing where the canister floats in a bowl of water) gives a rough visual estimate only and should not be relied on for precise planning.
Does cold weather really affect how much fuel I use?
Yes, significantly. Isobutane-propane canisters rely on internal pressure to push fuel to the burner. When temperatures drop below 20°F (−7°C), the propane component can still vaporise, but isobutane struggles, causing the canister pressure to drop and the flame to weaken. This means the stove burns less efficiently and you end up using more gas for the same heat output. Additionally, heating cold water from near-freezing requires considerably more energy than heating cool water. In cold conditions, plan for 25–50% more fuel than in summer. Warm the canister in your sleeping bag, jacket pocket, or armpit before cooking to restore pressure.
What size gas canister should I take backpacking?
For a solo overnight or single-day trip, a 100 g canister is usually sufficient and keeps pack weight minimal. For a solo 2–4 day trip or two people for 1–2 nights, a 110 g or 220 g canister is typical. For a group of two to four for 3–5 days, a 230 g or 450 g canister (or two 220 g canisters) is appropriate. For winter trips or extended expeditions, start with a 450 g canister and add a 110 g or 220 g backup. The canister comparison table in this calculator shows the exact surplus fuel and total pack weight (including the canister shell) for every size, making it easy to compare options for your specific trip.
How does altitude affect camp stove fuel use?
At high altitude, water boils at a lower temperature — at 14,000 ft (4,300 m), water boils at approximately 187°F (86°C) instead of 212°F (100°C) at sea level. This means water reaches boiling faster, which can slightly offset the efficiency losses. However, the reduced pressure means freeze-dried meals or rice may need to cook longer to rehydrate or soften properly, which increases total fuel use. Wind is also typically stronger at altitude. This calculator applies a 10% altitude buffer when you enter an elevation above 10,000 ft (approximately 3,000 m). For expeditions above 15,000 ft, consider a larger buffer of 15–20%.
Can I mix partially-used canisters for a trip?
Yes, and it is a great way to reduce waste. Use the Partial Canister Check mode for each canister you want to bring, note the remaining fuel in each, then add the totals together and compare to your trip fuel estimate. If you are using multiple canisters on a trip, start with the one that has the least fuel so you can discard the empty one early and reduce pack weight. Note that partially-used canisters can sometimes have slightly different pressure characteristics, so test each one briefly before the trip. Always pack at least one backup canister if your primary is a partial, especially on longer or more remote trips.