Wing Loading Calculator

What is wing loading?

Wing loading is the ratio of a skydiver's exit weight (body weight + equipment) in pounds to the canopy's area in square feet. It is the most important factor when sizing a parachute — a higher wing loading means a faster, more responsive, and less forgiving canopy.

The formula is simple: Wing Loading = Exit Weight (lbs) ÷ Canopy Size (sqft)

Most governing bodies, including USPA, recommend that newer skydivers stay at or below 1.0 lbs/sqft while building canopy skills. Down-sizing too quickly is one of the leading causes of serious skydiving injuries.

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Personal Weight
80 kg
30 kg160 kg
Equipment Weight(rig + suit + gear)
10.0 kg
5 kg30 kg
Total exit weight90 kg(198 lbs)
Canopy Size
150 sqft
55 sqft300 sqft
Wing Loading
1.32
lbs / sqft
Experienced
0.00.51.01.52.02.5

Higher performance, less margin for error.

For experienced jumpers with dedicated canopy piloting training.

Wing loading = exit weight (198 lbs) ÷ canopy size (150 sqft)

Wing Loading Reference
0.00–0.8Beginner
0.8–1.0Student / A-License
1.0–1.1Novice
1.1–1.3Intermediate
1.3–1.7Experienced
You are here
1.7–2.0Advanced
2.0–2.5+Expert / Competition

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose Personal + Equipment to enter your body weight and gear weight separately, or Exit Weight Only if you already know your total exit weight.
  2. Toggle between kg and lbs depending on your preference — the calculator converts automatically.
  3. Adjust the canopy size slider to match your current or target parachute.
  4. Read the wing loading result and the color-coded experience level recommendation.

Tips for safe canopy downsizing

  • Never downsize more than one canopy category at a time.
  • Attend a canopy piloting course before moving to a higher wing loading.
  • Increase jump numbers and experience before every significant size change.
  • Consult your instructor or coach — they know your canopy skills.
  • Equipment weight matters: a heavier rig means a higher effective wing loading.