Skydive Wing Loading Calculator
Enter your canopy size and exit weight to instantly calculate your wing loading with a color-coded safety assessment based on USPA guidelines.
Add your jump count for a personalized experience-level check.
Common sizes: 107, 120, 135, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230, 260, 290
Your body weight + all gear (rig, jumpsuit, helmet, etc.) — typically 25–35 lbs added
| Experience | Max Recommended |
|---|---|
| 0–25 jumps | 0.9 lbs/sq ft |
| 26–50 jumps | 1.0 lbs/sq ft |
| 51–200 jumps | 1.1 lbs/sq ft |
| 201–500 jumps | 1.2 lbs/sq ft |
| 501+ jumps | 1.4 lbs/sq ft |
lbs / sq ft
Disclaimer: These figures are estimates for informational purposes only. Wing loading safety depends on many individual factors including canopy type, body position, currency, and conditions. The decision to downsize is yours alone — always consult a certified canopy coach or your dropzone's S&TA before making any gear change.
What is Wing Loading?
Wing loading measures how much weight each square foot of your canopy must support. A 200 lb exit weight on a 210 sq ft canopy = 0.95 lbs/sq ft — conservative.
Higher wing loading means faster openings, faster forward speed, steeper glide angle, and less margin for error on landing. As loading increases, the consequences of mistakes grow exponentially — not linearly.
Exit weight is your total body weight plus all gear: rig, main, reserve, AAD, jumpsuit, helmet, and any other equipment. Budget roughly 25–35 lbs for a full skydiving kit.
Downsizing 30 sq ft on a large canopy has a small effect on wing loading. The same 30 sq ft difference between a 150 and 120 is dramatic. Percentage change matters more than absolute size difference.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your canopy size
This is the square footage of your main canopy, printed in the container owner's manual or on the manufacturer's label inside your container. Common student sizes are 230–290 sq ft; licensed jumpers range from 107–230.
Enter your exit weight
Step on a scale with all your gear on — or add 25–35 lbs to your body weight as an estimate. Accuracy matters here: an extra 10 lbs shifts your wing loading noticeably on smaller canopies.
Optionally enter your jump count
Adding your total jump number unlocks the USPA experience check, which compares your wing loading against the published guidelines for your experience tier. If you're above the recommendation, consider talking to a canopy coach before downsizing.
Wing Loading: Common Questions
Everything you need to know about canopy wing loading, downsizing, and USPA guidelines.
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