At Walmart, a typical 100 lb empty propane tank was advertised for roughly $275–$330 in the listings I checked on November 9, 2026. Premium galvanized or wheeled versions cost more. A nominal 100 lb fuel load equals approximately 23.6 gallons, so a full refill at an illustrative $3–$5 per gallon costs $70.80–$118. Most Walmart listings are for empty cylinders; do not assume the purchase price includes propane.
2027 buyer’s guide • Price evidence checked November 9, 2026 • U.S. dollars • Store and seller prices may change
When I shop for a large propane cylinder, I compare three things before looking at the big price on the product card: the actual cylinder model, the price to fill it, and whether I can safely handle and connect it at home. That last consideration matters a lot with a 100 lb tank. It is not simply a barbecue cylinder that happens to be a little taller.
How Much Is a 100 lb Propane Tank at Walmart?
For a basic new 100 lb steel propane cylinder, I found representative Walmart listings around $275–$330. The common lower-cost models use a conventional POL valve, while specialty models may have additional valves, corrosion-resistant finishes, or wheel assemblies. Listings shown online change with inventory, promotions, marketplace sellers, and delivery location, so the following figures are a snapshot rather than fixed 2027 prices.
| 100 lb cylinder listed at Walmart | Displayed empty-tank price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Flame King steel, POL valve | $274.95 | Standard upright cylinder; empty, pre-purged |
| Worthington model 303953 | $289.98 | Conventional steel cylinder; listing shows 23.6-gallon fuel capacity |
| Flame King multi-valve | $329.95 | Additional filling hardware; suitable on-site refilling depends on supplier and installation |
| Flame King galvanized steel | $439.95 | Corrosion-resistant finish; higher purchase price |
| Flame King horizontal/vertical with wheels | $514.95 | Specialty mobility and orientation design; follow manufacturer instructions |
Why Walmart 100 lb propane tank prices differ
The advertised price can change because the model uses a different valve, a different coating, or a heavier-duty configuration. Some listings are fulfilled by marketplace sellers rather than a local Walmart store. Delivery costs, sales tax, return terms, and the manufacturer’s warranty may vary as well. I would check who sells and ships the item before buying, especially because returning a bulky steel cylinder can be inconvenient.
Does Walmart Sell a Full 100 lb Propane Tank?
The products in the price table are advertised as empty cylinders or should be verified as such before checkout. The Flame King YSN100 manufacturer specifically describes its model as empty and pre-purged, ready to be filled by a qualified supplier. “Pre-purged” is not another way of saying “full.” It means that the manufacturing preparation for filling has been addressed, subject to the filler’s assessment.
100 lb Propane Tank Specifications: Capacity, Dimensions and Weight
A 100 lb rating describes how much propane the cylinder can carry when properly filled. It does not mean the empty tank weighs 100 lb. For example, Flame King’s YSN100 lists an empty product weight of about 70 lb. With a 100 lb fuel load, that can mean approximately 170 lb total. This is why I plan for suitable transport and a stable installation before ordering.
| Specification | Typical figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rated propane fuel capacity | 100 lb | Fuel mass, not empty-tank weight |
| Liquid propane volume | About 23–23.6 U.S. gallons | Refill estimates; filler determines actual amount |
| Empty cylinder weight (YSN100) | About 70 lb | Verify the TW marking on the actual cylinder |
| Approximate full weight | About 170 lb | Handling and transport |
| Flame King YSN100 dimensions | 14.7 × 14.7 × 48.7 in | Height and floor footprint |
| Worthington 303953 dimensions | 15.2 × 48.5 × 15.2 in | Dimensions differ by model |
| Common service connection | POL on example models | Must match an approved regulator/connection |
| Fuel energy | About 2.16 million BTU | Used in runtime estimates |
| Normal orientation (vertical model) | Upright | Never use a vertical cylinder on its side |
Propane weighs approximately 4.24 lb per gallon at around 60°F, so the conversion for a nominal full tank is straightforward:
Some manufacturers round capacity in their marketing specifications to about 25 gallons, while refill operators may use a more conservative tabulated amount or their approved weighing and filling method. I recommend using 23.6 gallons for budgeting and deferring to the actual cylinder markings and trained filler for the permissible fill. Also, do not subtract another 20% from the 100 lb rating: cylinder ratings already refer to the designed propane fuel load rather than the vessel’s total water volume.
If you want to understand that conversion further, I explain it in How Much Does 1 Gallon of Propane Weigh?. It is useful whenever you compare propane sold by the pound with a refill priced by the gallon.
How Much Does It Cost to Refill a Walmart 100 lb Propane Tank?
For a tank filled from essentially empty, multiply the actual gallons added by the local per-gallon price. I use 23.6 gallons to compare prices, but your receipt can differ if the tank contains residual propane, the dispenser uses a different amount, or the retailer has a minimum or service charge. A Walmart product listing does not give you the future fuel price.
| Refill price per gallon | Full-fill cost at 23.6 gal | My interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| $2.50 | $59.00 | Low-price planning scenario |
| $3.00 | $70.80 | Budget price scenario |
| $3.50 | $82.60 | Middle scenario |
| $4.00 | $94.40 | Useful worked example |
| $4.15 | $97.94 | Illustrative price based on one U-Haul location |
| $4.50 | $106.20 | Higher-priced market |
| $5.00 | $118.00 | Higher-price planning scenario |
| $6.00 | $141.60 | Very high-price example |
For perspective, a U-Haul propane page checked during research displayed $4.15 per gallon at one Long Beach, California location and stated that it refills cylinders as large as 100 lb. That is a location-specific example, not a nationwide price. Other providers and states may be less or more expensive. I would call and confirm the actual rate, availability, and service before scheduling a trip.
Worked example: $274.95 tank plus $4-per-gallon refill
- Empty Flame King cylinder: $274.95 based on the listing snapshot.
- Fuel capacity used for budgeting: 23.6 gallons.
- Refill price assumed: $4.00 per gallon.
- First full fuel charge: 23.6 × $4.00 = $94.40.
- Total first-day cost: $274.95 + $94.40 = $369.35 before tax, shipping, installation, and any other charges.
What if the 100 lb tank is half full?
Then you should not automatically need 23.6 gallons. If you have approximately 50 lb of propane remaining, the nominal missing fuel is 50 lb ÷ 4.24 = about 11.8 gallons. At $4 per gallon, the calculated refill is $47.20. The actual safe fill amount is determined by a qualified operator using approved procedures, not by a home estimate.
To avoid overbuying, see How to Tell If You Need Propane. Knowing approximately what remains helps you decide whether a refill trip makes financial sense.
Walmart Propane Refill vs. Exchange: What Service Should You Expect?
I would not assume a Walmart store refills a 100 lb cylinder. Common retail propane services are built around exchanging standard grill cylinders, and Blue Rhino exchange systems accept typical grill-sized tanks rather than automatically accepting a 100-pounder. The presence of propane exchange cages outside a store does not prove that it has a fill station.
Why a normal barbecue exchange is not equivalent
The common grill exchange cylinder has a 20 lb rated capacity, though many exchange programs provide a 15 lb fuel fill. A 100 lb cylinder nominally carries more than six times the propane of a 15 lb exchange. It also uses different hardware and may require commercial-style handling. I would not try to fit a 100 lb cylinder into an exchange cage, nor expect an exchange attendant to accept it without an explicit program.
For overall price comparisons, my related Is Propane Gas Economical? article explains why fuel cost, service fees, and equipment cost should be evaluated separately.
How Does a 100 lb Tank Compare With 20, 30 and 40 lb Tanks?
| Cylinder rating | Approx. fuel gallons | Fuel cost at $4/gal | Typical decision factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb | 4.7 | $18.80 | Easier handling; common grill size |
| 30 lb | 7.1 | $28.40 | A balance for RVs and longer outings |
| 40 lb | 9.4 | $37.60 | More capacity but heavier to carry |
| 100 lb | 23.6 | $94.40 | Less frequent fills; special handling |
For an RV or backyard user, a smaller tank may actually be the better choice because you can handle it safely and keep a spare. If your project involves longer intervals between replenishment, a 100 lb cylinder may be useful, but only if your system has been designed for it. You can compare the mid-size option in How Much Does a 30 lb Propane Tank Cost?.
How Long Does a 100 lb Propane Tank Last?
Runtime depends on the energy consumed by your appliance, not the retailer that sold your tank. I estimate 91,500 BTU per gallon of propane, making a 23.6-gallon fuel load about 2.16 million BTU. Dividing by appliance input gives a useful theoretical running-time estimate.
| Appliance input | Estimated hours | At 4 hours/day |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 BTU/h | 215.9 hours | 54.0 days |
| 20,000 BTU/h | 108.0 hours | 27.0 days |
| 30,000 BTU/h | 72.0 hours | 18.0 days |
| 40,000 BTU/h | 54.0 hours | 13.5 days |
| 50,000 BTU/h | 43.2 hours | 10.8 days |
| 80,000 BTU/h | 27.0 hours | 6.7 days |
| 100,000 BTU/h | 21.6 hours | 5.4 days |
These figures assume full rated input, continuous consumption, and sufficient fuel vaporization. Cold temperatures, a low liquid level, large burner loads, and regulators can change the result. On a cold day, a cylinder may have propane remaining but fail to vaporize it fast enough for a high-demand appliance. I would never choose tank size based only on the energy formula without checking the appliance manufacturer’s sizing requirements.
Worked example: weekly use of a 30,000 BTU/h appliance
If a compatible appliance consumes 30,000 BTU each hour and you operate it three hours a day, five days a week, you use 450,000 BTU weekly. At 91,500 BTU per gallon, that is about 4.92 gallons of fuel. Over four similar weeks, you would burn roughly 19.7 gallons and spend approximately $78.69 at an assumed $4 per gallon.
Estimate Your 100 lb Propane Tank Runtime
Enter your appliance input and daily usage to get a planning estimate. The calculator assumes a full 23.6-gallon tank and 91,500 BTU per gallon, and it does not replace equipment sizing guidance.
Estimated operation: 72.0 hours or 24.0 days at your daily usage.
Estimated value of that fuel: $94.40. Actual usable fuel and performance vary.
Can You Connect a Walmart 100 lb Propane Tank to a Grill?
Possibly, but I would never answer “yes” based only on the size label. A common standard 100 lb cylinder uses a POL service valve, while many modern gas grills use a Type 1/QCC1 connector on a smaller cylinder. The pressure that a grill needs also depends on its listed regulator and appliance design. Never remove or bypass a required regulator or use an improvised hose connection to make incompatible equipment fit.
My approach is to check the grill manufacturer’s instructions, the propane cylinder valve specification, and the approved regulator and hose arrangement. For a fixed outdoor kitchen or high-demand setup, I would ask a qualified propane installer to verify the components, allowable hose lengths, capacity, shutoff arrangement, and applicable code. The goal is safe and reliable flow, not simply making two threads screw together.
Can I use a 100 lb cylinder indoors?
Do not store or use a portable propane cylinder in a basement, enclosed living space, or garage. Safe outdoor storage and approved permanent piping arrangements are different from putting a cylinder next to an indoor heater. If you plan to supply an indoor appliance, a qualified professional should design the compliant exterior cylinder location and gas piping. This is especially important for heating appliances because propane leakage and carbon monoxide from unsafe combustion both present serious hazards.
Transporting a 100 lb Propane Tank: What Buyers Should Plan For
U-Haul’s propane FAQ says a single cylinder carried inside an enclosed passenger vehicle cannot exceed a 45 lb propane capacity under its stated transport guidance. It distinguishes that from suitable ventilated cargo areas separate from the passenger cab, such as a pickup bed. I would not transport a 100 lb cylinder inside my car or SUV. Follow applicable transportation requirements and your supplier’s instructions.
- Arrange suitable transport: an appropriate ventilated cargo area, separate from occupants, and a secure upright restraint.
- Keep the cylinder upright: unless you own a specifically certified model whose manufacturer authorizes another orientation.
- Close and protect the valve: use the required cap or plug and guard against impact.
- Prevent movement: do not let the cylinder fall, roll, or strike other cargo.
- Avoid heat and ignition sources: never leave it unattended in a hot enclosed vehicle.
- Ask whether the dealer offers delivery or on-site filling: it may be more practical than repeated trips with a heavy cylinder.
Safety first: If the cylinder shows corrosion, dents, a damaged valve, or a suspected leak, do not connect or move it unnecessarily. Keep people away, avoid ignition sources, and contact the propane supplier or emergency services from a safe location. Only trained personnel should fill, repair, or requalify propane cylinders.
100 lb Propane Tank Valve Types and On-Site Filling
Walmart’s standard Flame King YSN100 model is advertised with a POL valve. The more expensive multi-valve model has separate filling hardware and is promoted by its manufacturer for approved on-site filling. That difference matters to someone with a large home or commercial installation who wants to avoid transporting a heavy cylinder every time the fuel runs low.
However, “multi-valve” is not permission for do-it-yourself filling. An approved propane supplier needs to assess the installation, access, tank qualification, and specific valve configuration. I would get the supplier’s approval before paying extra for a multi-valve model. A feature that no local company supports is not worth a premium.
What About an Older or Used 100 lb Propane Tank?
U.S. DOT propane cylinders are subject to requalification rules, with inspection and testing intervals depending on their specification and approved testing method. Rather than guess from the age alone, I would ask an authorized cylinder requalifier or my propane dealer whether a specific used tank remains eligible. A currently dated cylinder may still be rejected for physical damage.
How Much Can You Save Over a Year With a 100 lb Tank?
Imagine an older setup requires 20 individual five-gallon refill stops per year, and your new arrangement requires five larger scheduled filling events. If each trip costs $8 in fuel and time-related expenses, reducing 15 trips could save an illustrative $120 in travel-related costs. I would not promise that savings to everyone: it depends entirely on your true refill habits, distance, and whether you can safely move or refill the larger tank.
| Scenario | Trips per year | Illustrative trip expense at $8 each |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent small-container runs | 20 | $160 |
| Consolidated refill visits | 5 | $40 |
| Potential trip-expense difference | 15 fewer | $120 |
For related cost questions, see Is Propane Cheaper If You Own the Tank? and What Time of Year Is Propane the Cheapest?.
My Decision Guide: Should You Buy a 100 lb Propane Tank From Walmart?
| Your situation | My recommendation | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional home barbecue | Choose a smaller grill tank | Fuel use, portability, exchange access |
| Existing approved 100 lb setup | Compare standard Walmart models | Valve, dimensions, tare weight |
| Need on-site filling | Consider multi-valve design | Supplier approval and compatible installation |
| Concerned about rust or weather | Assess coating and storage | A finish does not replace inspection |
| Need mobility or horizontal use | Use a certified specialty model | Manufacturer-approved position and restraints |
| No safe transport available | Arrange supplier delivery | Qualified service and local availability |
| Want the lowest possible upfront outlay | Calculate total first-fill cost | Cylinder + fuel + tax + shipping + setup |
My pre-purchase checklist
- Confirm the listing says 100 lb propane capacity, not a different volume or refrigerant cylinder.
- Check who actually sells and ships the item and whether it is currently available for delivery to your area.
- Verify the valve type against the equipment’s listed specifications and your qualified installer’s recommendation.
- Measure available outdoor installation space, clearance, and approved supports.
- Ask an authorized local dealer whether it accepts that model for filling, and whether it provides on-site or delivery service.
- Calculate the complete first-day expense, including the first fill and any required equipment.
- Review the manufacture date and cylinder markings when it arrives, and reject damage or questionable condition.
- Do not purchase specialty horizontal or on-site-fill models until you know their extra features are actually permitted and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions: Walmart 100 lb Propane Tanks
How much does a 100 lb propane tank cost at Walmart in 2027?
Confirmed 2027 prices are not available as of November 9, 2026. The late-2026 Walmart listings I checked showed standard empty cylinders at about $275–$330, with some specialty models above $400. Check the current listing and seller before ordering.
How many gallons of propane does a 100 lb tank hold?
Approximately 23.6 U.S. gallons at a nominal full 100 lb fuel load, using 4.24 lb per gallon. Actual fills follow the cylinder’s specifications and qualified filling procedures.
Does a Walmart 100 lb propane tank come full?
Do not assume so. The example Flame King YSN100 is explicitly sold empty and pre-purged. Check the exact product description before ordering and budget separately for propane.
Does Walmart refill 100 lb propane tanks?
Do not assume your local Walmart offers this service. Online tank sales do not establish the presence of a 100 lb cylinder refill station. Call a qualified propane supplier or refill center that confirms it handles 100 lb cylinders.
How much does it cost to fill a 100 lb propane tank?
At a hypothetical $3–$5 per gallon, approximately $70.80–$118 for 23.6 gallons, before tax or service charges. Your actual total depends on the amount added and the local rate.
How heavy is a full 100 lb propane tank?
Roughly 170 lb for a model with a 70 lb empty weight. Check the actual stamped tare weight, which differs among manufacturers and valve configurations.
Can a 100 lb tank replace my grill’s 20 lb cylinder?
Only when the grill system, regulator, connection, installation, and manufacturer instructions permit it. A 100 lb cylinder is not a safe direct substitute merely because both contain propane.
How many 20 lb tanks equal one 100 lb tank?
Five nominal full 20 lb fuel loads equal one nominal full 100 lb fuel load. Many 20 lb exchange programs actually supply 15 lb of propane, so an exchange is not equivalent to a full 20 lb refill.
Should I buy the standard POL or multi-valve model?
I would choose based on a qualified supplier’s recommendations and the intended installation. A standard POL model may be suitable for a conventional setup; a multi-valve cylinder can be useful where approved on-site filling is available.
My Final Recommendation
My bigger recommendation is to verify refill access, transport, and the correct valve and regulator before spending money. A 100 lb cylinder can reduce how often you need new fuel, but its approximately 170 lb filled weight makes handling and installation more demanding. If your use is only occasional grilling, a smaller cylinder may be the smarter choice. If you have a compatible stationary application, a properly planned 100 lb tank can offer useful storage between refills.
For your next step, I recommend reviewing the 30 lb propane tank cost comparison, propane gallon-to-pound conversion, and propane refill timing guide. Those questions will help you decide whether this large cylinder really matches your needs.
Mike is an experienced propane technician with over 15 years of professional experience in the field. He has dedicated his career to helping customers with their propane needs, from installation to maintenance and repair. Together with Jeremy, he co-founded this website to provide useful information and guidance to customers seeking reliable propane services.
