You know you need dry ice—but how much?
Let’s be real: too little, and your food’s ruined. Too much, and you’re wasting money (and space). This guide is here to help you figure out exactly how much dry ice you need based on what you’re trying to keep cold, for how long, and how it’s packed.
No fluff. No overthinking. Just solid numbers and simple advice.
🎯 Start with These Two Questions:
Before we get into the charts, ask yourself:
- What are you keeping cold or frozen? (Frozen food, ice cream, medical supplies, etc.)
- For how long? (Overnight? 2–3 days? A week in storage?)
These two details matter more than anything else.
🔥 Usage-Based Dry Ice Estimates
Here’s a quick look at how much dry ice you’ll likely need depending on the situation:
| Use Case | Recommended Dry Ice |
|---|---|
| Short trip cooler (8–12 hrs) | 5–7 lbs |
| Overnight frozen food shipment | 10–15 lbs |
| 2-day shipping (insulated box) | 20–30 lbs |
| Freezer backup for power outage | 40–60 lbs (per day) |
| Science experiments/fog effects | 3–5 lbs per 10–15 mins |
💡 Fog machines burn through dry ice quickly. Food applications require slower, sustained cooling.
🧮 Dry Ice to Frozen Food Ratio
If you’re trying to keep perishables frozen, use this handy rule:
1.5 lbs of dry ice per 5 lbs of frozen food, per 24 hours.
Here’s what that looks like:
| Frozen Goods (lbs) | 24 hrs | 48 hrs | 72 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 1.5 lbs | 3 lbs | 4.5 lbs |
| 10 lbs | 3 lbs | 6 lbs | 9 lbs |
| 25 lbs | 7.5 lbs | 15 lbs | 22.5 lbs |
| 50 lbs | 15 lbs | 30 lbs | 45 lbs |
| 100 lbs | 30 lbs | 60 lbs | 90 lbs |
❄️ Shipping in the summer? Add 25% more to account for heat.
📦 What About Packing?
Proper packing can make or break your dry ice plan. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Container Type | Insulation Level | Dry Ice Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Soft cooler | Low | Melts quickly |
| Foam cooler | Medium | Good for 12–24 hrs |
| Hard-sided cooler | High | Great for 24–48 hrs |
| Commercial shipper | Very High | Ideal for 2+ days |
And for best results? Place dry ice on top of your goods. Cold air sinks, and this helps circulate the chill better.
📦 Shipping Tip: Mix Regular Ice with Dry Ice?
A lot of people ask if they can combine regular ice with dry ice. The answer: yes—but only in certain cases.
- If you’re keeping food cold (not frozen), use a mix.
- If you’re keeping something frozen solid, stick to dry ice only—regular ice may thaw the surface layer as it melts.
🧊 Real-World Scenario
Let’s say you’re shipping 25 lbs of frozen meat to a friend across the country.
- Transit time: 48 hours
- Food weight: 25 lbs
- Box: Foam-insulated shipper
Dry ice needed: 15 lbs minimum
To be safe in warmer temps or if you expect delays: bump that to 20–25 lbs
You don’t need a chemistry degree to figure out how much dry ice to buy—just a little guidance.
At Ice Maven, we help individuals and businesses get the right amount of dry ice delivered to their door—without the guesswork. Whether you’re shipping, storing, or just playing mad scientist in the garage, we’ll make sure you get what you need.
🧊 Got questions? Reach out. We’re humans, not bots—and we love helping people solve cold problems the smart way.