Propane Tank Exchange vs. Refill
Propane tank exchange vs. refill comes down to one fact most people never notice: exchange tanks usually hold only 15 lb, while a refill fills your 20 lb tank to the top. That’s why refilling is almost always cheaper per pound. Exchange still has a place, mostly when you need propane fast. Here’s how I’d decide, with a calculator to check your local prices.
By Nathan Brooks · Reviewed Oct. 15, 2026
| Exchange | Refill | |
|---|---|---|
| Propane you get | Usually 15 lb (about 3.6 gal) | Up to 20 lb (about 4.7 gal) |
| Typical price | About $20–$25 per swap | Price per gallon, set by each location |
| Leftover propane | Lost when you swap | Kept, you only pay for what’s added |
| Where | Grocery, hardware and big-box stores, gas stations | Propane dealers, U-Haul, Tractor Supply, some gas stations |
| Speed | Grab and go, any time the store is open | Needs an attendant, limited hours |
| Old or expired tank | Usually accepted and swapped | Can’t be filled until it’s requalified |
Compare your local prices
Example values. Ask your local refill station.
The hidden cost of exchange
Let’s put numbers on it using the example values in the calculator. Propane weighs about 4.2 lb per gallon, so a 15 lb exchange tank holds about 3.6 gallons. At $22.99, you’re paying roughly $6.40 a gallon. A refill at $4.50 a gallon puts about 4.7 gallons in a 20 lb tank for around $21. You get more propane for less money. Your local prices will differ, but the gap usually points the same way.
Refill whenever there’s a station on your route, and keep exchange for emergencies, for an expired tank, or for the occasional griller who values convenience over a few dollars. If you use propane every week, the difference is worth real money over a season. — Nathan Brooks
When exchange makes sense
- You need propane right now, for example in the evening or on a holiday, when refill counters are closed.
- Your tank is old, damaged or expired. Exchange companies take it and give you a checked tank, which saves you the hassle of requalifying or disposing of it.
- You only grill a few times a year, so the extra cost is small.
When refill makes sense
- You grill often or use a patio heater, RV or camp stove. The more you use, the more the price gap matters.
- Your tank still has propane in it. With a refill, you only pay for what goes in; with an exchange, whatever’s left goes back with the tank.
- There’s a refill station on your regular route. Where to refill propane.
Is your tank safe to refill?
Check two things before you go, so you don’t make the trip for nothing:
- The date stamped on the collar. Small tanks generally must be requalified 12 years after the manufacture date, and again at regular intervals after that (often every 5 years). Refill stations can’t fill an out-of-date tank.
- The valve. Tanks from 4 to 40 lb need an overfill prevention device (OPD). You can spot it by the triangle-shaped handwheel. Older tanks with a round or star-shaped handle can’t be refilled.
If your tank fails either check, exchange it. That’s one case where exchange is clearly the better choice.
Quick answers
Is it cheaper to exchange or refill a propane tank?
Refilling is usually cheaper per pound, often by 30% or more, because exchange tanks hold only about 15 lb and you lose any propane left in your old tank. Use the calculator above with your local prices.
How much propane is in an exchange tank?
Most exchange tanks, including Blue Rhino and AmeriGas, are filled with about 15 lb of propane, not the full 20 lb the tank can hold.
Where can I refill a propane tank?
Propane dealers, many U-Haul locations, Tractor Supply stores and some gas stations and hardware stores refill tanks. Call ahead, since refill hours are often shorter than store hours.
Can I exchange an expired propane tank?
Usually yes. Exchange programs generally accept old tanks and requalify or replace them, which is one reason exchange is convenient for older tanks.
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Sources
Ferrellgas: exchange vs. refill · 49 CFR 180.209: cylinder requalification · Propane Education & Research Council: grill safety · EIA propane data
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