Portable power planning
Camping & RV Generator Size Calculator
Select what you want to run at camp or in an RV. This version is focused on portable use, not whole-house backup.
Start with common choices
Select what applies. If there is a quantity box, adjust the count before fine-tuning the estimate below.
Fine-tune the estimate
Add any device not listed above.
Use this for extra motor startup draw if you know it.
A 15–25% margin is useful for portable generator planning.
Method
How this calculator estimates it
Estimated portable generator class = selected running load + largest startup surge + manual extras + safety margin.
Avoid this
Common mistakes
- Assuming a small 2,000W generator will start every RV air conditioner.
- Running the microwave, AC, coffee maker, and electric heater at the same time.
- Ignoring noise, fuel use, and campground rules.
Before you choose
- If you want to run RV air conditioning, check both running watts and startup surge. AC is usually the deciding load.
- Inverter generators are usually preferred for camping because they are quieter and produce cleaner power for electronics.
- Avoid planning around electric space heat unless you have a large generator; resistive heat uses a lot of power.
- Check campground generator hours and noise limits before buying.
Related calculators
Helpful tools that pair with this estimate.
Backup Power
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Estimate the generator size you need for a house during a power outage using common household loads like refrigerators, pumps, heat, lights, and AC.
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Estimate how long a portable power station can run common devices after real-world efficiency losses.
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Estimate battery runtime from watt-hours, device load, and efficiency.