How the Quarantine Food Calculator works
This tool answers a single, concrete question: how much food and water does your household need to stock to get through a quarantine or self-isolation period without leaving the house? It multiplies your household size and the number of days you need to cover against standard per-person daily amounts. There is no guesswork or hidden weighting — the math is plain multiplication you can check by hand.
The formula
- Total calories = people × days × calories per person per day
- Total meals = people × days × meals per person per day
- Total water = people × days × gallons per person per day
- Person-days of supply = people × days (a handy single number for comparing pantry stock or ration packs)
For example, a family of 4 self-isolating for 14 days at 2,000 calories per person per day needs 4 × 14 × 2,000 = 112,000 calories, 4 × 14 × 3 = 168 meals, and 4 × 14 × 1 = 56 gallons of water (about 212 liters).
Why the default numbers
The 2,000 calories per day default is the U.S. FDA reference value used on Nutrition Facts labels for a general adult diet. Actual needs vary: many adult women need closer to 1,600–2,000 kcal and active adult men 2,400–3,000 kcal, so adjust the calorie field for your household. The 1 gallon (3.79 liters) of water per person per day comes from Ready.gov and the American Red Cross, who recommend that amount for drinking and basic sanitation, with a minimum two-week supply for shelter-in-place situations.
Common reference points
- 14 days is the classic self-isolation window and the minimum emergency water supply most agencies suggest keeping on hand.
- One adult, 14 days: about 28,000 calories, 42 meals, and 14 gallons of water.
- A #10 can of freeze-dried food typically holds roughly 10–25 servings; count servings, not cans, when you compare against the meal total.
- Shelf-stable calorie density: peanut butter is about 190 kcal per tablespoon, a cup of dry rice about 675 kcal, and a standard can of beans about 350 kcal — useful for translating a calorie target into a shopping list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food do I need for a 14-day quarantine?
Should I stock extra beyond what the calculator shows?
Does this count water for cooking and cleaning too?
Common Tip Percentages
| Service | Typical Tip Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 15–20% | 20%+ for exceptional service |
| Food delivery | 10–20% | Consider extra for long distances |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10–20% | More for assistance with luggage |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | Leave daily, not just at checkout |
| Barber / hair salon | 15–20% | On pre-discount total |
| Pizza delivery | 10–15% or $3–5 minimum | Higher in bad weather |
General Household Budget Ratios (50/30/20 Rule)
| Category | % of Net Income | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Needs | 50% | Rent, groceries, utilities, insurance |
| Wants | 30% | Dining out, entertainment, hobbies |
| Savings / Debt | 20% | Emergency fund, retirement, extra payments |
Common Measurement Conversions for Everyday Use
| Quantity | US / Imperial | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 8 fl oz | 237 mL |
| 1 pint | 16 fl oz | 473 mL |
| 1 quart | 32 fl oz | 946 mL |
| 1 gallon | 128 fl oz | 3.785 L |
| 1 lb | 16 oz | 453.6 g |
| 1 ft | 12 in | 30.48 cm |