1. Set the household water target

CDC’s baseline is at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days; a 2-week supply is recommended when practical. Keep the assumptions editable for your household.

Target water—

Metric volume—

Water-only weight—

Daily household use—

3. Audit the water you already have

Count complete handling units, not only nominal gallons. Edit dry weights using labels or manufacturer specifications when a shelf, vehicle or carrying limit matters.

Container	Capacity per unit	Dry packaging / container weight
500 mL × 24 bottled-water case	3.17 gal	lb per case
1-gallon jug	1 gal	lb each
5-gallon water container	5 gal	lb each
7-gallon water container	7 gal	lb each
15-gallon container	15 gal	lb each
55-gallon drum	55 gal	lb each

Maximum filled unit weight you classify as portable (lb)This is your planning threshold, not a lifting recommendation.

Current inventory

Stored water—

Target gap / surplus—

Days covered—

Loaded inventory weight—

Portable by entered threshold—

Bulk / stationary water—

Handling units—

Largest filled unit—

Add the containers you actually own to see the gap and handling profile.

Emergency water plan summary

The summary follows the active mode and keeps your household target visible.

Edit the household target or choose a planning mode.

The searches behind one emergency-water question

How much do we need?

The baseline is a household-duration problem. People, days and extra household needs determine the target.

What should we store it in?

Small bottles are easy to distribute, 5-gallon containers balance capacity and movement, while drums concentrate weight and work best for shelter-in-place storage.

Is our current supply enough?

Inventory matters more than a shopping list. The audit turns what you already own into gallons, days, weight and a remaining gap.

What can leave with us?

Evacuation water is limited by filled-unit weight, vehicle cargo and available handling units—not only by total gallons in the house.

CDC storage baseline used by the planner

Store at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days.
Try to store a 2-week supply when practical.
Consider more water for pregnant people, people who are sick, pets and hot climates.
Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency source.
Use food-grade water-storage containers for home-filled water.
Label home-filled containers with the storage date and replace the water every 6 months.

The calculator keeps the daily baseline and extra amount editable because household circumstances and official advice can change.

Water safety boundary

This calculator does not determine whether unsafe water is drinkable. It does not assess floodwater, chemical contamination, radioactive material, a private well, filters or treatment products.

CDC states that water containing fuel or toxic chemicals cannot be made safe by boiling or disinfection. Follow current local health-department instructions and official treatment guidance.

Storage and placement checks

Use tightly closed, durable containers intended for water storage.
Do not reuse containers that held toxic chemicals such as pesticides or bleach.
Store water cool, away from direct sunlight and away from gasoline, pesticides and other toxic substances.
Verify every shelf, rack, floor, vehicle and container specification.
Spread water across more than one location when a leak, blocked room or evacuation could make one cache inaccessible.

Emergency Water Storage Calculator

1. Set the household water target

2. Compare container strategies

Container comparison

Commercial bottled cases

5-gallon containers

Mixed bulk plan

3. Audit the water you already have

Current inventory

4. Separate evacuation water from shelter-in-place water

Portable water split

5. Plan rotation and storage placement

Rotation and placement plan