Nobody wants to be without gas every day. But such huge tanks are cumbersome. Knowing how long certain gas tanks last helps anyone choose the correct size for their needs. No matter what you use gas cylinders for, be it camping, running a home furnace, or welding, knowledge can save you time and heartache.
New welders will need to estimate welding time until they know how long gas will last. There are specific ways to find out how much gas you have, yet it pays to have more idea of both gas cylinder sizes, how much your gas bottle holds, and how much-compressed gas you have left.
In our guide, you can learn more about compressed gas cylinder sizes and gas bottle sizes for use. By the end, you’ll be able to quickly read our gas cylinder sizes chart to see which high-pressure compressed gas cylinder sizes meet your needs. (Learn How Deep Is Gas Line Buried)
What Are The Sizes Of Gas Cylinders?
In 1880, compressed gas cylinders were invented, and they quickly became an essential part of the medical field.
Companies like Air Liquide, the world’s largest supplier of compressed gases, emerged, serving industrial use like healthcare, construction and engineering, electronics, and more.
Propane, nitrogen, chlorine, helium, carbon dioxide, acetylene, and oxygen are compressed gases.
They all serve distinct purposes and industries, but propane is the one you’ll be working with the most at home.
Here are some examples of compressed gas gases in the home and industry.
Residential Use:
- BBQ & Grills
- Water Heaters
- Fireplace & Stoves
Industrial Use:
- Forklifts & Small Vehicles
- Large Operational Appliances
- Oil & Gas
- Pharmaceuticals
- Water & Mining
- Steelmaking & welding plus many more
Standard High Pressure Compressed Gas Cylinder Sizes
The size of a gas cylinder is determined by the amount of liquid it holds or its weight. You may be unsure of the size you require for your particular situation. The most common high-pressure cylinders and gas cylinder sizes are listed here.
20-Pound:
This is probably the size you’ve seen the most, especially if you enjoy grilling on summer evenings. This site is readily transportable and may include patio heaters and mosquito traps.
33-Pound:
This size is frequently used in the construction industry. It’s commonly found on propane-fueled forklifts and other small vehicles. 100-Pound:
100-pounds.
The 100-pound cylinder is commonly used in homes and can handle a variety of equipment. Gas-powered fireplaces, stoves, and clothes dryers all use it.
500/1000 gallons tanks:
This size is frequently used to heat an entire home or power huge equipment. It’s also employed in small businesses for a variety of purposes. (Learn How To Arrange Lava Rocks On A Gas Fire Pit)
Giant 30,000 Gallon:
This isn’t a high-pressure gas cylinder size you’ll see in a backyard. Instead, this “Giant” can be found in huge industrial sites or propane storage facilities.
| MIG/TIG Welding Gas Cylinder Specifications (Argon/MIG Blends) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 40 cf (#2/V) | 80 cf (#3/Q) | 125 cf (#4/D) |
| Height | 22 in. | 35 in. | 45 in. |
| Diameter | 6½ – 7¼ in. | 6½ – 7¼ in. | 6½ – 7¼ in. |
| Empty Weight | 24 lbs | 47 lbs | 58 lbs |
| Full Weight | 28 lbs | 56 lbs | 71 lbs |
| Full Pressure | 2015 PSI | 2015 PSI | 2265 PSI |
What Are The Four Types Of Gas Cylinders?
High-pressure gas cylinder sizes can differ slightly from one manufacturer to the next.
If you’re short on space to fit, double-check the cylinder sizes dimensions of the tank you’re considering.
Some high-pressure gas cylinders are denoted by a letter included for more clarification of information, just in case.
Other tank sizes are sometimes identified by weight, also listed in the table.
If you live in a gas-producing area, you should verify with your local gas supplier before purchasing a tank. They’ll be able to tell you what sizes are popular.
A local gas supplier may also check what tanks they can and cannot refill ahead of time, avoiding any issues when it comes time for your first refill.
They can also help with particular issues, such as storage and handling in your climate. For example, you can discover that temperature can determine the pressure from your gas bottle.
A good example is using a gas tank in cooler weather. As the level in the gas bottle gets lower, you see a frost ring appear on the bottle. You can find your gas bottle freezing no matter the gas cylinder size.
What Is D Size Gas Bottle?
The D-size high-pressure gas cylinder stores 340 liters of oxygen at 13 700 kPa and is commonly affixed to the side of an ambulance stretcher.
However, this air gas cylinder sizes of gas bottle size may suit no one at home.
One area of uncertainty is how long will gas last in various compressed gas bottle cylinder sizes?
That depends on your flow rate, which ranges from 10 to 40 cubic feet per hour (“cfh”), depending on the type of task you’re doing and the type of high-pressure gas bottle in use.
In heavy winds, a higher flow rate keeps the shielding gas flow.
Even with very little wind, many welders find that at least 20 cfh is required from their gas bottle. Again, geometry has a role, as the flat is easier to work with than vertical. (Read Craftsman B215 25cc 2 Cycle Handheld Gas Powered Leaf Blower Guide)
However, you may get a reasonable estimate of the use time for a full tank of gas by applying the equation:
[cylinder volume (cf)] / [flow rate (cfh)] = gas welding time (hours).If we take an 80 cf tank and run it at 20 cfh, for example:
80 cf / 20 cfh = 4 hours of welding
You can use the same formula on various gas cylinder sizes. You need to change the cylinder volume taken from your gas bottle or use the chart.
Calculated Welding Time For Tank and gas Bottle Sizes At Different Flow Rates
| Flow rate | Tank Size | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 cf | 80 cf | 125 cf | |
| 10 cfh | 4.0 hrs | 8.0 hrs | 12.5 hrs |
| 15 cfh | 2.7 hrs | 5.3 hrs | 8.3 hrs |
| 20 cfh | 2.0 hrs | 4.0 hrs | 6.3 hrs |
| 30 cfh | 1.3 hrs | 2.7 hrs | 4.2 hrs |
| 40 cfh | 1.0 hrs | 2.0 hrs | 3.1 hrs |
Remember that calculations will differ from actual use due to temperature variations and several starts and stops. The same goes for pre/post flow settings.
Also, monitor your regulator. The tank’s pressure reduces as you utilize it. As a result, the flow rate drops, and you must modify it.
Temperature can affect the flow rate. So prepare to tweak your regulator more frequently than you imagine.
You might wish to start returning the gas regulator to “0” at the end of the day. Manufacturers advise releasing spring and valve diaphragm pressure before storing. This forces you to modify the gas flow the next time you weld.
Pure CO2 can protect MIG welds from contamination. CO2 is carbon dioxide. It’s the same thing used to put out flames and make beer and soda fizz.
The most prevalent argument is lower operational costs. Of course, there are certain benefits and drawbacks, but that’s for another topic.
What Sizes Do Gas Containers Come In?
If you buy a CO2 tank, you need to know two things about sizing it.
No volume rating like TIG and MIG welding gas cylinders. CO2 tanks are sized by weight.
When MIG welding with CO2, you must use a separate regulator. You can’t use your Argon or MIG gas regulator. (Read Poulan Pro 21 Inch Gas Push Lawn Mower With Side Discharge And Mulching)
Listed below are some common sizes to consider.
CO2 Gas Bottle/ Tank Specs And Use Time
| H x W (in.) | Cubic Feet | Use Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10.5 x 3 | 11 | ½ hr |
| 18.25 x 5.5 | 44 | 2 ¼ hrs |
| 20.5 x 7 | 87 | 4 ½ hrs |
| 20.5 x 7 | 175 | 8 ¾ hrs |
| 47 x 8 | 437 | 22 hrs |
What Gas Cylinder Sizes for Welding?
One of the most aggravating experiences is running out of gas when welding. In addition, the amount of welding required may surprise new TIG or MIG welders.
Then there’s the welding gas. You must not run out of gas when welding. Knowing the tank sizes can help you estimate how long it will take you to weld.
Before buying one, you need to know how long a welding gas cylinder will last. Picking a gas cylinder can be tricky if you’re still learning to weld.
Welding Gas Cylinder Specifications
It’s important to note that compressed gas cylinder manufacturers have their own set of requirements. A letter, number, or weight may be written on a cylinder that stores highly compressed gas. For TIG or MIG welding, tanks with a capacity of less than 20 cubic feet are uncommon. This is because the gas supply will be depleted quickly.
Portable welding kits that use oxy-acetylene gas often contain the tanks. However, most larger cylinders surpassing 125 cubic feet are rented or leased from gas suppliers rather than being owned by the welder.
Customers that purchase in bulk frequently obtain these from their suppliers. These large gas tanks are difficult to manage and could cause harm or damage if dropped. Refilling a larger tank, on the other hand, is more cost-effective.
Gas Bottles and Tanks Vs. Welding Gas Cylinder
A tank is sometimes known as a cylinder or a gas bottle. Tanks are available in various sizes, ranging from small and portable to massive and heavy. The volume of gas inside the gas cylinder sizes is measured in cubic feet.
It’s also possible to see the contents of gas bottle cylinder sizes written in CF. There isn’t much distinction between cylinders and tanks except size. TIG gas bottles usually are larger, but MIG gas bottles are typically smaller.
Compressed Gas Cylinder Sizes Size Chart
| Manufacturer | Gas Pressure Type | Gas Bottle Type | MFG Designation | Gas Cylinder Height in inches | Gas Cylinder Diameter in inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 49 | 55 | 9 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 44 | 51 | 9 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 17 | 33 | 7 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 7 | 19 | 7 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | LB | 12 | 2 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | MEDE | 26 | 4 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 44H | 51 | 10 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 44H | 51 | 9 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | AT | 55 | 10 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 30AL | 48 | 8 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 22AL | 33 | 7 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 7AL | 16 | 7 |
| Air Liquide | High | Various | 9AL | 15 | 4.5 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 300 | 55 | 9 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 200 | 51 | 9 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 80 | 33 | 7 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 35 | 19 | 7 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 10 | 17 | 4 |
| Airgas | High Pressure | Various | LB02 | 12 | 2 |
| Airgas | High | Various | LB/LBX | 12 | 2 |
| Airgas | High | Various | E | 26 | 4 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 3HP | 51 | 10 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 2HP | 51 | 9 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | 65 | 49 | 10 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | B | 36 | 10 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | C | 22 | 8 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | 150LP | 52 | 15 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | 350LP | 50 | 16 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | 1/4 TON | 48 | 22 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | 65380LP | 30 | 12 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | 1/2 TON | 57 | 30 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | LP2.5 | 17 | 9 |
| Airgas | Low | Various | LP5 | 18 | 12 |
| Airgas | Low | Acetylene | 380 | 41 | 12 |
| Airgas | High Pressure | Various | Y | 90 | 24 |
| Airgas | High | Various | H2S | 82 | 30 |
| Airgas | High | Various | SO2, C2H5Cl2, Cl2, CH3Cl | 82 | 30 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 300A | 55 | 10 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 150A | 48 | 8 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 80A | 33 | 7 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 33A | 16 | 7 |
| Airgas | High | Various | 9A | 15 | 4.5 |
| Linde | High | Various | 49 | 55 | 9 |
| Linde | High | Various | 44 | 51 | 9 |
| Linde | High | Various | 16 | 33 | 7 |
| Linde | High | Various | 7 | 19 | 7 |
| Linde | High | Various | LBR | 12 | 2 |
| Linde | High | Various | 5 | 26 | 4 |
| Linde | High | Various | 485 | 51 | 10 |
| Linde | High Pressure | Various | A31 | 48 | 8 |
| Linde | High | Various | A16 | 33 | 7 |
| Linde | High | Various | A07 | 16 | 7 |
| Manchester | Low | Propane | 20 # / 5 gal | 17.56 | 12.16 |
| Manchester | Low | Propane | 30 # / 7 gal | 23.43 | 12.16 |
| Manchester | Low | Propane | 40 # / 10 gal | 29.43 | 12.16 |
| Manchester | Low | Propane | 100 # / 25 gal | 46.31 | 15.06 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 1L | 55 | 9 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 1A | 51 | 9 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 2 | 33 | 7 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 3 | 19 | 7 |
| Matheson Trigas | High Pressure | Various | LB | 12 | 2 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | E | 26 | 4 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 3HP | 51 | 10 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 2HP | 51 | 9 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 1R | 48 | 8 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 2R | 33 | 7 |
| Matheson Trigas | High | Various | 3R | 16 | 7 |
| MG | High | Various | 300 | 55 | 9 |
| MG | High | Various | 200 | 51 | 9 |
| MG | High | Various | 80 | 33 | 7 |
| MG | High | Various | 35 | 19 | 7 |
| MG | High | Various | LB | 12 | 2 |
| MG | High | Various | E | 26 | 4 |
| MG | High | Various | 3HP | 51 | 10 |
| MG | High | Various | 2HP | 51 | 9 |
| MG | High | Various | 150AL | 48 | 8 |
| MG | High | Various | 80AL | 33 | 7 |
| MG | High | Various | 33AL | 16 | 7 |
| MG | High | Various | 9AL | 15 | 4.5 |
| Praxair | High Pressure | Various | 4K | 51 | 9.25 |
| Praxair | High | Various | K | 55 | 9.25 |
| Praxair | High | Various | K | 51 | 9 |
| Praxair | High | Various | S | 46 | 7.4 |
| Praxair | High | Varies | Q | 31 | 7 |
| Praxair | High | Varies | G | 20 | 6 |
| Praxair | High | Varies | R | 14 | 5.1 |
| Praxair | High | Varies | AT | 54 | 10 |
| Praxair | High | Varies | AS | 48 | 8 |
| Praxair | High | Varies | AQ | 33 | 7.3 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | WTL | 44 | 12.1 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | WK | 35.6 | 12.4 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | WS/WSL | 35.6 | 8.4 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | WC | 33.1 | 8.3 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | WQ | 22.5 | 6.9 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | B | 19.5 | 6.1 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | MC | 13.2 | 3.9 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | 5 | 51 | 12 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | 4 | 39 | 8 |
| Praxair | Low | Acetylene | 3 | 30 | 7 |
| Praxair | Low | Propane | 100# | 48.5 | 14.75 |
| Praxair | Low | Propane | 60# | 42.2 | 12.25 |
| Praxair | Low | Propane | 50# | 47 | 10 |
| Praxair | Low | Propane | 25# | 32.9 | 9.06 |
| Praxair | Low | Propane | 5# | 22 | 6.3 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High Pressure | Various | K | 55 | 9 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | A | 51 | 9 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | B | 33 | 7 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | C | 19 | 7 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | LB | 12 | 2 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | ER | 26 | 4 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | AL | 48 | 8 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | BL | 33 | 7 |
| Scott Specialty Gases | High | Various | CL | 16 | 7 |
