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Residential LPG gas bottle sizes explained
31 Jan 2025
If you don’t have natural gas available at your address, you may be considering using LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) instead. But before you jump on LPG, you’ll need to understand the different LPG gas bottle sizes available to buy. From small cylinders for occasional use, to larger tanks for high-volume usage, we’ve taken a look at the various sizes of residential LPG gas bottles below.
Understanding LPG gas bottle sizes
Here’s a basic overview of LPG gas bottle sizes:
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| LPG gas bottle size |
Width (mm) |
Height (mm) |
Volume (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4kg | 340 | 265 | 7 |
| 9kg | 460 | 310 | 17 |
| 15kg | 305 | 705 | 29 |
| 18kg | 310 | 830 | 35 |
| 45kg | 375 | 1250 | 88 |
| 90kg | 508 | 1340 | 176 |
| 190kg | 760 | 1350 | 372 |
| 210kg | 760 | 1350 | 411 |
Source: Elgas website
Small LPG gas bottles
Small LPG gas bottles are great for households with low to moderate gas usage. This includes small families, occasional users, or homes that like to use gas for camping or barbecuing. The most common sizes for small cylinders include 4kg (3.7kg), 9kg (8.5kg), 15kg and 18kg.
Smaller cylinders are designed for use with portable gas appliances, such as barbecues, camping stoves and patio heaters. Because they’re easy to transport, they can be refilled or exchanged at many locations across Australia.
Medium LPG gas bottles
Medium-sized LPG gas bottles are good for households who use gas for daily cooking, heating or hot water. Typical sizes for medium cylinders range from 45kg to 90kg.
Because of their larger capacity, they require less frequent refills when compared to small cylinders. However, they’re less portable and generally need to be refilled by an LPG delivery driver.
Large LPG gas bottles
Large LPG gas bottles, also known as tanks, are designed for heavy gas users. These bottles are typically found in larger households, or properties and businesses with heavy energy needs. Tank sizes can range from 190kg to 2,100kg or larger.
Large tanks are usually installed outside your home or business, and connected to fixed gas appliances such as central heating systems, cooktops and ovens. Like medium bottles, large LPG tanks offer the advantage of a continuous gas supply, without the need for frequent refills.
Compare cheap electricity deals
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,800 MJ/year, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. The products are listed in order of lowest estimated price/year (including conditional discounts), then by the highest value rank (out of 10), then by highest brand satisfaction rating. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
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Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the AGN – VIC network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 40,500 MJ/year, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. The products are listed in order of lowest estimated price/year (including conditional discounts), then by the highest value rank (out of 10), then by highest brand satisfaction rating. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
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PROMOTED
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Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for QLD. These estimated annual costs are based on the AGN – QLD in Brisbane and yearly gas usage of 8,300 MJ/year, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. The products are listed in order of lowest estimated price/year (including conditional discounts), then by the highest value rank (out of 10), then by highest brand satisfaction rating. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
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Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for SA. These estimated annual costs are based on the AGN – SA network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 14,800 MJ/year, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. The products are listed in order of lowest estimated price/year (including conditional discounts), then by the highest value rank (out of 10), then by highest brand satisfaction rating. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
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Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for WA. These estimated annual costs are based on the ATCO network in Perth and yearly gas usage of 6,300 units/year, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. The products are listed in order of lowest estimated price/year (including conditional discounts), then by the highest value rank (out of 10), then by highest brand satisfaction rating. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
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Factors to consider when choosing LPG gas bottle sizes
Gas usage
If you’re deciding on an LPG gas bottle size, you’ll need to look at the way your home uses gas.
According to Elgas, this can be achieved by calculating your total LPG gas consumption per hour and how many hours of consumption each bottle size can provide you:
- Calculate the energy (MJ) content in your preferred LPG gas bottle size – generally, one kg of LPG contains 49 MJ of energy.
Eg. 4 litres X 49 = 196 MJ - Calculate your LPG consumption per hour (MJ/hr) by adding the respective consumption rates of each gas appliance being used.
Eg. Heater 1 (25 MJ/hr) + Heater 2 (25 MJ/hr) = 50 MJ/hr - Divide the energy content in your preferred gas bottle size by your total consumption rate. This figure reflects how long your preferred bottle size would last (hrs) based on your LPG consumption per hour.
Eg. 196 MJ ÷ 50 MJ/hr = 3.92 hrs
You should choose a bottle size that’s large enough for your cooking, heating and hot water needs, without requiring frequent refills.
Available space
You’ll need to have enough free space on your property to store your LPG gas bottles. Although small cylinders are easy to store, larger tanks need room for installation and generally won’t fit in homes with limited outdoor space.
According to Petroleum Advisory Services, current legislation states that you are permitted to store a maximum of 10kg of unused LPG gas bottles within a detached home or single-storey attached dwelling or a combined maximum of 50kg between indoor and outdoor spaces (with no unused bottle exceeding 15kg).
Do take note that these limitations don’t apply to already-in-use 45kg gas bottles.
Budget and cost
As well as an upfront cost, LPG users also need to pay for ongoing bottle refills. While larger tanks or bottles are more expensive to buy, they can save you money long-term because you won’t require frequent refills.
The following factors will also impact your upfront/ongoing costs of LPG usage:
- Global LPG price fluctuations
- Seasonal demand
- Taxes
- Exchange rates
- Geo-political unrest
- Transportation costs based on distance.
LPG gas bottle sizes for your residence
The best-sized LPG gas bottle for your home will depend on how your family uses gas, as well as your budget and storage space. If you’re still unsure which size is right for you, your gas supplier can talk you through your options.
This article was reviewed by our Utilities Editor Tara Donnelly before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
