What to stock up on in case of war (US edition): a calm list from Ready.gov

The short answer

Stock what Ready.gov already asks every US household to keep: at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, several days of non-perishable food you'll actually eat, a manual can opener, a battery or hand-crank radio, flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, medicines, a phone charger and backup battery, some cash in small bills, and copies of documents. For a nuclear emergency, Ready.gov adds a change of clothes for each person and a trash bag for contaminated clothing. We found no official US list just for war, and no official advice to stockpile for months.

First, the honest bit

We looked for an official US list of what to stock up on for war. We didn't find one. Ready.gov, the federal government's preparedness site, has one disaster supplies kit for all emergencies, and separate advice for a nuclear explosion. That's what this list is built from.

We don't predict wars, and this page isn't a sign that one is coming. It's the same list Ready.gov asks every household to keep anyway.

This page is for US readers. In the UK? See our UK version.

The list

Water - At least one gallon per person per day, for several days, for drinking and sanitation (Ready.gov). - Keep store-bought water sealed, in a cool, dark place. Replace water you bottle yourself every six months (Ready.gov; CDC).

Food - Several days of non-perishable food (Ready.gov). - Food you can eat without cooking: canned meat, fruit and vegetables; protein or fruit bars; cereal or granola; nut butter; dried fruit; canned juice; shelf-stable milk; high-calorie foods; comfort foods (Ready.gov). - A manual can opener and eating utensils (Ready.gov). - Choose foods your family will eat, and remember special diets (Ready.gov).

Light, power and news - A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert (Ready.gov). - Flashlights and extra batteries (Ready.gov). - A phone charger and backup battery (Ready.gov).

Health - A first aid kit (Ready.gov). - Prescription medicines, over-the-counter pain relievers and stomach remedies, glasses and contact lens solution (Ready.gov). - Soap, hand sanitizer and hygiene items (Ready.gov).

Money and documents - A small amount of cash at home, in small bills, because cards and ATMs may not work (Ready.gov). - Copies of important documents, saved electronically or in a waterproof container: ID, insurance, financial and medical records (Ready.gov).

Everything else Ready.gov lists - A whistle, a dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, local maps (basic kit). - A sleeping bag or warm blanket per person, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes, a fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, paper and pencil, games for children, pet food and extra water (additional supplies).

The nuclear extras

Ready.gov's nuclear explosion advice adds a few things worth having:

a change of clothes for each person;
trash bags for clothing worn outside;
sealed food, water and medicine.

It says sheltering usually lasts at least 24 hours, in the middle of a sturdy building or a basement, away from windows. If you were outside, removing your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material, then shower with soap and water. Food that was indoors is safe; wipe sealed containers that were outside with a damp cloth. Our post on food and water after fallout covers this in UK terms; the official advice is very similar.

What to skip

Months of food. Ready.gov asks for several days. A bigger store is fine if you'll eat it, but it isn't official advice.
Anything sold with fear. Be wary of anything sold with a countdown, a 'last chance' or a promise that it will keep you safe.
Gadgets the official lists don't mention. Ready.gov's kit is ordinary household items. Start there before buying specialist gear.

Keep it calm: build it over a few shops

Ready.gov's maintenance advice is simple:

Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
Replace expired items as needed.
Rethink your needs every year as your family changes.

Pack a smaller go-bag too, light enough to carry on foot or public transportation (Ready.gov). Our US go bag checklist and 72-hour kit list have tick lists, and an emergency binder keeps documents in one place.

What we couldn't check

We found no official US federal list of supplies specific to war. Everything here comes from Ready.gov's all-hazards kit and nuclear explosion pages, and the CDC's water advice.
Ready.gov doesn't give a fixed number of days. We don't add one.
The USDA's shelf-stable food page blocked our reader today, so we give no canned food shelf-life figures.
Ready.gov's food list includes infant food; we leave baby feeding to official health advice and don't list products.

Frequently asked questions

What should I stock up on in case of war in the US?

The same supplies Ready.gov recommends for any disaster: water (one gallon per person per day for several days), non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a battery or hand-crank radio, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, medicines, a phone charger and backup battery, cash and important documents. We found no separate official US war list.

What food should I stockpile for war?

Ready.gov suggests food you can eat without cooking: canned meat, fruit and vegetables, protein or fruit bars, cereal or granola, nut butter, dried fruit, canned juice, shelf-stable milk and comfort foods. Choose foods your family will eat, and remember special diets.

How much water should I store?

Ready.gov says at least one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. Keep store-bought water sealed in a cool, dark place. Replace water you've bottled yourself every six months.

How long should my supplies last?

Ready.gov says several days, without giving a fixed number. Many people aim for three days to start. For a nuclear emergency, Ready.gov says sheltering usually lasts at least 24 hours.

Should I buy a lot of food now?

No need to panic buy. Ready.gov asks for several days of supplies, built from food you already eat. Add a few items each shop, keep canned food in a cool, dry place, replace expired items, and rethink your needs once a year.

Sources

We opened each page on the date shown. Official advice changes: if a source says something different now, follow the source.

Ready.gov (US): Build a kit (read 2 November 2026)
Ready.gov (US): Water (read 2 November 2026)
Ready.gov (US): Food (read 2 November 2026)
Ready.gov (US): Nuclear explosion (read 2 November 2026)
Ready.gov (US): Financial preparedness (read 2 November 2026)
Ready.gov (US): Evacuation (go-bag) (read 2 November 2026)
US CDC: How to create and store an emergency water supply (read 2 November 2026)

Related guides

Free tools

Emergency supplies calculator (water and food for your household)

We're an independent UK site, not the government. We check guides against official sources and link to them. In an emergency call 999.

What to stock up on in case of war: a calm US list, without panic buying