Emergency supplies calculator (United Kingdom): what your household needs for 3 days
The UK Government's Be Ready campaign advises being prepared for at least three days of disruption. It suggests 3 litres of drinking water per person per day (plus extra for cooking and washing), non-perishable food that needs no fridge or cooking, a first aid kit, a torch, a wind-up or battery FM radio and a charged power bank. It gives no kcal target or cash amount, so we plan about 2,200 kcal per adult per day.
Your household
List sized for 3 days. Household: Adults: 1.
At a glance
- Water
- 9 L
- Food energy
- 6,600 kcal
- Estimated cost
- £85.25 – £156
- £51.88 per person per day
Prices are estimates and may differ in your local shop.
- Calorie figures are an estimate, based on German federal guidance.
Your supply list
Water
- Still water, 6 × 2 L1 × 12 L£3.00 per pack£3.00
Food
Food basket suggested by us, based on the list from UK Government (Cabinet Office, Be Ready campaign).
- Baked beans, tin, 400 g3 × 400 g≈ 36 months£0.65 per pack£1.95
- Tinned tuna in oil, 145 g3 × 145 g≈ 36 months£1.35 per pack£4.05
- Tinned corned beef, 340 g1 × 340 g≈ 36 months£3.20 per pack£3.20
- Tinned vegetables (peas and carrots), 400 g2 × 400 g≈ 36 months£0.75 per pack£1.50
- Dried fruit (raisins, apricots), 250 g1 × 250 g≈ 12 months£1.80 per pack£1.80
- Mixed nuts, unsalted, 200 g1 × 200 g≈ 12 months£3.20 per pack£3.20
- Cream crackers, 200 g2 × 200 g≈ 12 months£1.10 per pack£2.20
- Oat cereal bars, 5 × 42 g1 × 210 g≈ 9 months£2.50 per pack£2.50
- Peanut butter, 340 g1 × 340 g≈ 12 months£2.00 per pack£2.00
Medical & hygiene
- First aid kit1 × 1 pcs£11.00 per pack£11.00
- Painkillers (paracetamol), 20 tablets1 × 20 pcs£4.25 per pack£4.25
- Strong bin bags, 20 pieces1 × 20 pcs£2.10 per pack£2.10
- Wet wipes, 80 pieces1 × 80 pcs£2.10 per pack£2.10
- Toilet paper (1 roll, from a multipack)2 × 1 pcs£0.40 per pack£0.80
Power and light
- LED torch (wind-up or battery)1 × 1 pcs£10.00 per pack£10.00
- Power bank, 10,000 mAh1 × 1 pcs£17.00 per pack£17.00
- Candles, 12 pieces1 × 12 pcs£4.25 per pack£4.25
- Matches / lighter1 × 1 pcs£1.25 per pack£1.25
- Manual can opener1 × 1 pcs£5.95 per pack£5.95
- Camping stove (gas)1 × 1 pcs£30.00 per pack£30.00
- AA batteries, pack of 41 × 4 pcs£3.80 per pack£3.80
- Gas cartridge, 230 g1 × 1 pcs£5.10 per pack£5.10
Communication
- Wind-up or battery FM radio1 × 1 pcs£25.00 per pack£25.00
Documents and cash
- Waterproof document pouch1 × 1 pcs£7.65 per pack£7.65
- Cash in small notes and coins
Cost by category
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Where these numbers come from: UK Government (Cabinet Office, Be Ready campaign)
Sources
Last checked: 5 November 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I store?
Your authorities' figure is shown above. Most authorities recommend around 2 to 4 litres per person per day, covering drinking and basic hygiene. Children, pregnant women and people in hot weather may need more.
How long should my supplies last?
The number of days differs from country to country, so we show the figure from your national authority. Even a few days of supplies make you far more resilient than none at all.
Do I need to buy everything at once?
No. Start with water, food and any medication you rely on, then add the rest over time. Check what you already have at home and rotate food before it expires.