Survival Provision Calculator

Food, water, & supply estimates for your whole household — people, pets, & livestock

How to use this tool
Most prep tools assume a standard household. This one doesn't. Built for real households across every age, body need, hormone profile, disability, dietary restriction, and sensory need — enter who and what you're responsible for, pick your time window, and get honest numbers.Default settings start at the U.S. and the imperial measurement system.

Start here

  1. Pick your country on the Overview tab to get context on risks where you live.
  2. Work through the People, Pets, Livestock, and Necessities tabs to build out your household.
  3. Use the Power tab to estimate what it takes to keep your essential devices running.
  4. Review your totals, then download your results as a PNG or PDF for your records.
  5. More tools are coming — follow our blog and social media to stay up to date.
U.S. overview

Current issues to prep around — United States

Quick buying path

What to buy first

People calculator

Plan for Every Person in Your Care

Duration of Time
Common pets calculator

Account for Your Companion Animals

Duration of Time
Livestock calculator

Plan for Your Herd, Flock, & Farm Animals

Duration of Time
Necessities calculator

Plan for What Your Household Can't Go Without

Duration of Time
Resource usage calculator

Estimate Power Use, Generator Size, & Backup Runtime

The easiest starting point is your power bill. Find the total kWh and how many days the bill covers — the estimator below does the rest.
Total kWh ÷ number of days = average daily kWh. Average daily kWh × 1,000 ÷ 24 = roughly how many watts your home uses at any given time.
Want to Break It Down by Device Instead?
Check the sticker on the back or bottom of each device and look for a number with a "W" — that's the wattage. If you only see volts and amps, multiply them together to get a rough number. Add each device, how many you have, its wattage, and how many hours a day you run it. For things that cycle on and off — like a fridge or AC — use a realistic daily average instead of assuming they run all day.
Duration of Time
Shelf-stable + flexible foods

Shelf-Stable Food Ideas for Different Household Needs

Prep by milestones

Suggested Timeline

Low-pressure self-sufficiency

Sustainable Ways to Build Necessities Over Time

Start With One Category

Pick one simple thing first. Good starts are bread, broth, soap, a small herb garden, cloth napkins, or easy sewing repairs.

Focus on Repeatable Basics

Choose skills that save money and help in hard times. Good examples are preserving food, dehydrating produce, line drying, and basic mending.

Build a “Home Systems” Shelf

Keep a small area for jars, labels, vinegar, baking soda, salts, repair items, and spare containers.

Pick One Practical Next Step

Choose one skill or supply area to build this season, such as pantry rotation, preserving food, a small kitchen herb garden, home apothecary basics, or simple DIY repair supplies. Consistent small upgrades are usually easier to maintain than trying to change everything at once.

Starter Tips:
  • Learn one preservation method first: freezing, dehydrating, or water-bath canning.
  • Duplicate what already works in your household before experimenting.
  • Track what your household runs through fastest, then decide whether part of that need can be grown, repaired, preserved, reused, or made at home over time.
  • Favor tools and ingredients with multiple uses over niche specialty supplies.
Common questions

FAQ

Do I need to buy everything at once?

No. Start with what your household already uses and build in layers: 72 hours, 2 weeks, then 30 days. Slow, steady stocking usually works better than panic buying.

Why are the water totals so high?

The tool shows more than drinking water. It also includes basic cooking water and basic hygiene or sanitation water so you can plan for a more realistic emergency setup.

Are these numbers exact medical or veterinary recommendations?

No. These are planning estimates. Age, disability, climate, illness, pregnancy, medications, and activity can all change real needs. Use this as a preparedness starting point, not a diagnosis or prescription.

What if someone in my household is a picky eater or has sensory needs?

Start with familiar foods first. Preparedness works best when the stored food is truly edible, tolerated, and emotionally manageable for the people who will need it. Texture, routine, and safe foods matter just as much as shelf life.

What if I do not have enough storage space?

Use a smaller layered system. A modest reserve that is organized and rotated is more useful than a large stash you cannot manage. Try under-bed bins, closet shelves, stackable containers, or small backups tucked behind the foods you already use every week.

Does this tool save my information?

No. This calculator runs in your browser and does not save your household details to a server. Export and print actions are generated locally on your device.

What does “nameplate wattage” mean?

Nameplate wattage is the power number printed on the device itself, its charger, or its manufacturer label. It is often near the plug information, model number, or electrical rating area. This is usually the best starting point for generator and battery planning.

Why are running watts and starting watts different?

Some devices, especially anything with a motor or compressor, need a brief extra surge to start. A refrigerator, freezer, pump, or air conditioner may run at one wattage but need much more for a second or two when turning on. Your backup power setup has to handle both.

What is the difference between watts, watt-hours, and kilowatt-hours?

Watts tell you how much power something is using right now. Watt-hours tell you how much energy it used over time. Kilowatt-hours are just larger energy units: 1 kilowatt-hour equals 1,000 watt-hours.

Why do voltage, frequency, and plug type matter?

Different countries use different household electrical standards. A device may not safely run, or may not plug in at all, if the voltage or frequency does not match your region. Always check the appliance label or manual before buying a generator, inverter, or travel adapter setup.