How Much Psi is in a CO2 Paintball Tank?

A standard CO2 paintball tank is rated for either 3,000 or 4,500 psi. Both the psi and the volume of a tank determine how many shots the tank will fire before it needs to be refilled.

  1. Identification

    • Psi measures the pounds per square inch of pressure that the tank is rated for. The higher the psi of the tank, the more shots you will be able to fire. If your tank is not rated at 3,000 or 4,500 psi, consider purchasing a tank with one of these standard ratings.

    Considerations

    • The liquid CO2 in paintball tanks does not convert to gas at a constant rate. This means that the amount of CO2 leaving your tank--and the overall psi entering your gun--is constantly fluctuating. For this reason, many paintball players choose high pressure air (HPA) over CO2. A regulator will help compensate for inconsistencies during the release of the CO2.

    Volume

    • The volume of the tank also affects how many shots you will get from your marker. Common volumes of paintball tanks range from 14 oz. to 20 oz. These sizes equate to 700 to 1,100 shots per fill, which will also vary based on the psi.