What size generator does your home need?
Two ways to answer: quick (square footage + coverage level) or precise (pick the loads you actually want running). Sizing below is standby/whole-home oriented — portable generators are a different, cheaper, more hands-on category.
Select everything you want running during an outage
Sizing accounts for motor starting surge (AC compressors and pumps briefly draw 2–3× running watts).
Ranges assume automatic standby with transfer switch, typical gas line run, and permits. Long gas runs, panel upgrades, and site work push costs up.