Weight of Full & Empty LPG Gas Bottles
What is the weight of full and empty propane tanks?
Knowing the weight of full and empty propane tanks – LPG gas bottles – is important.
It is arguably the best way to determine how much gas is left.
Full Weight = Empty (Tare) Weight + Weight of the Contents.
Weight of LPG (Contents) = Full Weight – Empty Weight
LPG (Propane) Empty Weight = Tare Weight
Tare weight is synonymous with empty weight or unladen weight.
Gas bottles and propane tanks typically have the “tare weight” stamped into the metal neck ring.
It is sometimes abbreviated as “T.W.”.
Not all tare weights are equal, even if it is the same size gas bottle (e.g. 9kg or 20lb).
For example, the tare weight of steel 9kg gas bottles typically ranges from 7.8 to 10.4 kg and some exceptions may even fall outside of this range.
This is as a result of the manufacturing variances between all of the different tank – gas bottle – manufacturers.
The variances include different dimensions and dissimilar thicknesses of steel used in the manufacturing of the vessels.
This blog includes two LPG – propane conversion charts (towards the end) with all of the tare weights for common Australian gas bottle sizes and US propane tank sizes.
There is also information regarding Indian 14.2kg domestic cooking gas cylinders.
LPG (Propane) Specific Gravity – Density
When determining the weight of the contents, it is important to know that the density of LPG – propane – is only about half that of water.
Unlike water, 1kg of LPG does NOT equal 1L of LPG.
1 pint of propane does not weigh ≈ 1lb. It actually weighs 0.51lbs.
This is because the density or specific gravity of LPG is less than water.
In countries where LPG is propane (e.g. Australia and USA), 1kg of LPG has a volume of 1.96L.
Conversely, 1L of LPG weighs 0.51kg.
1 US gallon of propane weighs approximately 4.23lbs, instead of the 8.34lbs it would weigh if it was water.
Net Weight of the LPG (Propane)
The net weight is the weight of the actual contents.
The units of measure can vary based on location and method of delivery.
In metric units, kilograms (kg) are units of mass generally used when cylinders are refilled on an exchange basis.
Litres are used when the LPG is supplied by tanker and must be converted to kilograms to determine net or gross weight.
Pounds are used in countries that use the imperial or United States customary units of measure for mass, when cylinders are refilled on an exchange basis.
Gallons are used when the propane is supplied by tanker and must be converted to pounds to determine net or gross weight.
LPG (Propane) Full Weight = Gross Weight
The full weight of the propane tank, or LPG gas bottle, is the combination of the tare weight and net weight.
In other words, the full weight is equal to the weight of the empty tank – bottle – plus the weight of the LPG (propane) contents.
Full Weight = Empty Weight + Weight of the Contents.
Determining Weight of Contents Using a Scale
With a small BBQ gas bottle (9kg or 20lb) you can determine how much gas is contained in the bottle by weighing it on a scale.
Just place it on the scale to get the full weight and then subtract the tare weight value to determine the amount of LPG – propane – contained within the gas bottle (tank).
Gas Bottle Size & Tare Weight Charts
The first chart is for countries that use the standard metric system, whilst the second chart is for imperial or United States customary units of measure.
The following are common LPG gas bottle sizes and approximate tare weights for Australia:
Tare Weights & Full Weights of Common LPG Gas Bottle Sizes
| Weight of Contents Only | Content Volume in Litres | Tare (Empty) Weight | Total Full Weight |
| 3.7kg | 7.25L | 5.5kg | 9.2kg |
| 8.5kg | 16.6L | 9kg | 17.5kg |
| 15kg | 29L | 10kg | 25kg |
| 18kg | 35L | 18kg | 36kg |
| 45kg | 88L | 33kg | 78kg |
| 90kg | 176L | 65kg | 155kg |
| 210kg | 411L | 140kg | 350kg |
India 14.2kg Gas Cylinders Tare Weight & Full Weight
I see frequent enquiries regarding the weight of domestic cooking gas cylinders in India.
The standard cooking gas cylinder in India has a net weight of 14.2kg ± 150 grams.
The empty cylinders have a tare weight of approximately 15.3kg.
The tare weight will vary from cylinder to cylinder, as the result of manufacturing variances.
The exact tare weight is printed on the individual cylinders.
Tare Weight + 14.2kg = Full Weight
That means that the gross weight of a full 14.2kg cylinder is approximately 29.5kg.
What is the Amount of Liquid in 14 kg LPG Gas Cylinder?
It’s actually a 14.2 kg LPG gas cylinder, if we are talking about India.
To calculate volume, in litres, takes some simple arithmetic.
For LPG (propane) 1kg = 1.96L. Therefore, 14.2kg = 27.832L
For LPG (butane) 1kg = 1.724L. Therefore, 14.2kg = 24.48L
With a 75:25 butane:propane mix, 1kg = 1.783L.
Therefore, there is 25.34L in a 14.2 kg LPG gas cylinder.
Please be aware that unlike water, 1kg of LPG does NOT equal 1L of LPG.
This is because the density or specific gravity of LPG is less than water.
In Australia, where LPG is propane, 1kg of LPG has a volume of 1.96L.
Conversely, 1L of LPG weighs 0.51kg.
How Many Gallons are in a 100 lb Propane Tank?
A pound of propane equates to 0.236 gallons.
Therefore, a 100lb propane tank contains 23.6 gallons.