How much food and water should you buy to keep at home for an emergency?
Try my calculator below to get a practical estimate based on your personal household size and the number of days you want to have covered!
It works out suggested quantities of water and everyday food staples. Then the tool turns the results into a personalised PDF checklist especially for you.
No survival bunker required. Just a clearer idea of what you may reasonably want to have on hand in your pantry.
Try my free emergency supplies calculator ⤵
What this tool estimates
My tool gives you a simple starting point for a short-term situation where you might need to manage at home with supplies you already have.
Based on the information you enter, it estimates:
- the amount of water your household will likely need
- approximate grocery quantities across the most important food groups
- total food energy for the timeframe you selected
- basic household supplies to consider
May aim was to turn the vague advice we so often hear (like “keep enough food and water on hand”) into tangible quantities. My little calculator gives you a good baseline for your shopping list, so you know roughly how much of what to buy or order.
I built this tool based on my article about prepping as a minimalist who doesn’t have a lot of space, or doesn’t like cluttered kitchen cabinets.
Get a custom-tailored prepper shopping list for your household
Once you’ve calculated your requirements, you can generate a personalised PDF that you can pull up on your phone or print out.
The PDF checklist includes your estimated water requirement, a shopping list with suggested food quantities, an approximate calorie total and a checklist covering essentials such as food preparation, lighting and power, first aid, hygiene, important documents and other household needs.
It’s designed to make planning easier without encouraging you to buy cupboards full of things you’ll never use.
Use these estimates as a starting point
Every household is different, so the results this tool gives you are planning estimates rather than fixed ration rules.
Of course, your actual needs can vary with age, health, climate, activity levels, dietary requirements, cooking facilities, pets and personal preferences.
The water calculation uses a conservative baseline and it can never hurt to have more water on hand if you have the room for it.
The food estimates are broadly informed by public emergency-preparedness guidance from several countries. The suggested shopping split is my practical interpretation of that guidance rather than an official prescription.
So use the free emergency supplies calculator to establish a sensible baseline, then, if need be, adjust your custom shopping list to suit your your special circumstances.
