Outdoor Calculators
Stove fuel, sized.
Say how many people, how many days and how much water each person boils per day, then pick your stove and conditions. Get grams of fuel with a spare margin and the number of canisters. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Trip and stove
Result
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Worked example
Two people, 3 days, 1 L boiled per person per day with an integrated stove in mild weather: 6 L x 10 g/L = 60 g. With a 20% margin, 72 g, so one 100 g canister is enough. The same trip with a regular-pot canister stove near freezing: 6 L x 15 g/L x 1.5 x 1.2 = 162 g, two 100 g canisters or one 230 g canister.
How it works
Fuel = litres boiled x grams per litre x condition multiplier x (1 + margin). Litres boiled = people x days x litres per person per day. The grams-per-litre defaults are conservative planning values within the ranges stove makers publish for isobutane-propane canisters: about 8 to 10 g per litre for an integrated system with a heat exchanger and 12 to 16 g per litre for a canister burner with a regular pot.
Cold, wind and snow raise fuel use: the multipliers are x1.25 for cool or breezy, x1.5 near freezing or windy and x2.5 for melting snow. Canister stoves also lose pressure in the cold; keep the canister warm. Always carry a margin, and weigh a canister before and after one boil to find your own figure. Use stoves outdoors only: carbon monoxide kills.
Sources and basis: Per-litre fuel figures are planning values within the ranges published by canister stove manufacturers for isobutane-propane fuel; multipliers are conservative allowances. Checked 2026-10-05. Planning guide only, not medical or safety advice. Conditions, health and equipment change real needs; use your own judgment and local guidance.
FAQ
How much fuel do I need for backpacking?
About 15 to 50 g of canister fuel per person per day for typical freeze-dried meals and hot drinks, depending on the stove and the weather. The calculator shows your number.
How long does a 100 g canister last?
Roughly 8 to 12 litres boiled with an efficient integrated system, and less with an open burner. For two people boiling 2 L a day, that is about two to three days.
Why does cold weather use more fuel?
Cold water takes more energy to heat, wind carries away heat, and canisters lose pressure in the cold. Melting snow needs about two to three times the fuel of using liquid water.
How do I measure my own stove?
Weigh the canister, boil a known amount of water, then weigh it again. Grams used per litre is your own figure; enter it in the override box.
Can I use the stove in my tent?
No. Never cook inside a tent or enclosed space. Fire and carbon monoxide are serious hazards.