Shelter-in-Place Supply Calculator
Build a complete shelter-in-place plan, water, food, sanitation, and medications, sized to your household and how long you need to stay put.
Calculate your shelter-in-place supplies
Adjust household size and scenario to get personalized quantities for your specific situation.
Stock 22.75 gallons of water
For 2 adults, 1 child, 1 pet over 7 days.
Tips for success
- Store water in food-grade containers, 1 gallon per person per day minimum; 1.5–2 gallons in hot climates or for active adults.
- Rotate food stock using FIFO (first in, first out) so older items are used before expiry.
- In a contamination scenario, seal interior rooms with plastic sheeting and tape, this is different from earthquake or storm prep.
- Ensure at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medications; a 90-day supply is ideal.
- Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio to monitor official instructions.
How to use this calculator
Enter the number of adults, children, and pets in your household. Select your intended shelter duration and the emergency scenario you're preparing for. The calculator returns water requirements, meal counts, and a supply overview. Contamination and pandemic scenarios add extra sanitation and hygiene multipliers to reflect reduced access to running water and the need for additional PPE and disinfectants.
What to stockpile for shelter-in-place
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day minimum. Store in sealed, food-grade containers. Have water purification tablets as backup.
- Food: Shelf-stable items with a long expiry, canned goods, dried beans, rice, freeze-dried meals. Aim for 2,000–2,500 calories per adult per day.
- Sanitation: Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, garbage bags, and a portable toilet option if sewer service may be disrupted.
- Medications: A minimum 30-day supply of all prescriptions. Include OTC pain relievers, antidiarrheal medication, and antihistamines.
- Communication: Battery or hand-crank radio, fully charged power bank, and a written list of emergency contacts (don't rely solely on your phone).
- PPE (contamination/pandemic): N95 or KN95 masks, nitrile gloves, eye protection, and plastic sheeting + tape for room sealing.
FAQ
What's the difference between shelter-in-place and bugging out?
Shelter-in-place means staying in your home and relying on your stored supplies. Bugging out means evacuating to a safer location. The right choice depends on the threat type, a chemical spill nearby may require evacuation, while a major storm or pandemic usually favors staying put. This calculator is designed for shelter-in-place scenarios.
How do I store enough water for 14–30 days?
Standard 1-gallon jugs work but take up a lot of space. Consider 5-gallon BPA-free containers, a 55-gallon water barrel, or a water preserver system. A WaterBOB (100-gallon bathtub liner) is a low-cost option for rapid pre-storm storage. You can also store water in your water heater (40–80 gallons) as an emergency reserve.
Do pets really need that much water?
Yes. A medium dog drinks 0.5–1 gallon per day; a cat needs roughly 0.25 gallons. In a stress situation or warm environment, consumption increases. This calculator uses conservative averages, bump the pet count up if you have large or multiple pets.
What should I do differently for a contamination scenario?
Seal gaps around doors and windows with plastic sheeting and tape to create a sealed room. Turn off all ventilation, HVAC, and fans. Monitor official broadcasts for the "all clear." Have N95 masks and nitrile gloves available. Water and food needs remain the same, but sanitation supplies should double to reduce pathogen transmission risk indoors.
How do I ensure food stays edible for a month without refrigeration?
Focus on canned goods (2–5 year shelf life), dried legumes, white rice, pasta, and freeze-dried meals (25-year shelf life). Store in a cool, dark location away from temperature fluctuations. A pantry or interior closet works better than a garage in most climates. Check expiry dates annually and rotate stock.