Food & cooking · Emergency preparedness
Emergency food supply calculator.
List the non-perishable food you have, with calories per unit from the label, and see how many days it lasts for your household.
Inputs
Days of food
Enter the numbers above.
How long will your emergency food last?
Days of food = total calories on hand divided by the calories your household eats per day. Health Canada says to be ready for at least 72 hours with food that will not spoil, such as canned food and energy bars, and to keep allergies, celiac disease and food intolerances in mind. Enter each food as units on hand and calories per unit from the nutrition label.
Worked example. 3 people at 2,000 calories each use 6,000 a day. The pantry holds 12 cans at 350 calories (4,200), 6 jars at 900 (5,400) and 20 bars at 200 (4,000), which is 13,600 calories. 13,600 / 6,000 = 2.3 days, or 54 hours. Three days needs 18,000 calories, so this household is 4,400 calories short of the 72-hour minimum.
The 2,000 calories a day in the box is a round starting number, not a recommendation: needs depend on age, size and activity, so set your own. Pack a manual can opener, and remember that a kit also needs water (see the water tool) and any infant formula or pet food you need.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of emergency food should I have?
Public Safety Canada and Health Canada say to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours (3 days). Ready.gov says at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food.
How many calories per person per day?
There is no single figure: it depends on age, size, sex and activity. The tool starts at a round 2,000 so you can see the arithmetic; replace it with your own number or your dietitian’s advice.
What food should go in an emergency kit?
Health Canada suggests items that will not spoil, such as canned food and energy bars, chosen with food allergies, celiac disease and intolerances in mind, plus a manual can opener. Add ready-to-use infant formula and pet food if you need them.
How often should I replace emergency food?
Health Canada says to replace emergency food supplies every year or as indicated by the date on the label. The replacement dates tool works out the dates.
Does this include water?
No. Food and water are separate: use the emergency water storage calculator for litres.
Sources
Checked
- Health Canada, "Food and drinking water safety in an emergency" (page dated 8 May 2026), opened 8 October 2026. non-spoiling food, allergies and intolerances, manual can opener, replace yearly or by label
- Public Safety Canada, Get Prepared, "Emergency kits", opened 8 October 2026. at least 72 hours, manual can opener, baby formula and pet food
- Ready.gov, "Build A Kit", opened 8 October 2026. at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food
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Scope
Calorie needs are individual and the 2,000 default is only a placeholder. This is a planning aid, not dietary or medical advice; people with medical conditions or special diets should plan with their care provider.