Water Storage Calculator
Find out exactly how many gallons your household needs for emergency water coverage.
Coverage goal
For a household of 4 targeting 2 Weeks coverage:
168 gallons
3 gallons x 4 people x 14 days
Daily Breakdown (per person)
Drinking
0.5 gal
Cooking
0.5 gal
Hygiene
0.5 gal
Sanitation
1.5 gal
3 gallons per person per day (includes sanitation). FEMA recommends 1 gallon minimum; NoShamePantry uses 3 for realistic needs.
Total for 4 people over 14 days
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should I store per person?
FEMA recommends a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and basic sanitation. NoShamePantry recommends 3 gallons per person per day to cover drinking (0.5 gal), cooking (0.5 gal), hygiene (0.5 gal), and sanitation (1.5 gal) for realistic emergency living.
What is the FEMA water recommendation?
FEMA recommends storing at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days. For a family of 4, that is 12 gallons minimum. However, most preparedness experts recommend storing significantly more to cover cooking, hygiene, and sanitation needs.
How many gallons of water per person per day?
For emergency preparedness, plan for 3 gallons per person per day: 0.5 gallons for drinking, 0.5 for cooking, 0.5 for hygiene, and 1.5 for sanitation. This ensures realistic daily needs are met during an emergency.
How long can you store water?
Commercially bottled water can be stored indefinitely if sealed and stored properly, though manufacturers typically recommend a 2-year shelf life for best taste. Water stored in food-grade containers with proper treatment can last 6 months to 5 years depending on the treatment method and storage conditions.
Do water filters count as stored water?
Water filters and purification tablets are a capability, not stored water. They can process thousands of gallons but require a water source (like a nearby stream, lake, or rainwater). They are a critical complement to stored water but should not replace having actual water on hand.