Water carrier size
A guide, not advice. Check your kit maker's figures before you buy or pack.
The calculator needs JavaScript. The worked example, sum and figures below show exactly how it works, so you can do it yourself. A guide, not advice.
Short answer
Enter how much water your group used on a similar trip, its group size and trip length. The calculator scales that measured use to your new trip and can estimate the number of carrier loads. It does not assume a typical rate: cooking, washing, facilities, weather and refills all affect what you need.
Worked example
| You enter | Value |
|---|---|
| Water used on a similar trip | 30 litres |
| People on that trip | 4 |
| Days on that trip | 2 |
| People on this trip | 4 |
| Days on this trip | 3 |
| Extra allowance you choose | 0% |
| Your carrier capacity | 10 litres |
Plan for about 45.0 litres of water
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Water to plan for | 45.0 litres |
| Measured use per person per day | 3.75 litres |
| Full carrier loads | 5 full 10 litre carrier loads |
Show the working
- Measured rate: 30 L ÷ 4 people ÷ 2 days = 3.75 L/person/day
- Trip: 3.75 × 4 × 3 × (1 + 0) = 45.0 L
- Carrier loads: round up 45.0 ÷ 10 = 5
How it works
- Measured use per person per day = previous trip's water ÷ people ÷ days
- Trip water = measured use × people × days × (1 + your extra allowance)
- Carrier loads = trip water ÷ carrier capacity, rounded up
This scales your own measured use, not a typical rate. Cooking, washing, site facilities, weather and access to refills change the amount you need.
Confirm that the site's water is suitable for drinking and follow its guidance for carrying and storing water.
Our figures (adjustable)
These are our planning allowances and, once checked, typical figures with their sources. They aren't facts about your kit: change any of them in the calculator.
This calculator has no built-in defaults: every figure comes from you or your kit's own label.
What to buy
Shopping links will appear here once our retailer partners are confirmed. We don't rank kit by testing it: see our spec-based kit guides.
FAQs
How much water should I take camping?
Needs vary by group, meals, washing and site facilities. Use your own experience as a starting point and check the campsite's refill access and water guidance.
Can I drink water from any campsite tap?
Check the campsite's signs and instructions. This calculator estimates volume; it does not assess water quality.
Guides that use it
How much water to take camping
Plan camping water for drinking, cooking and washing. Check refill points, carry clean containers and keep drinking water separate.