Free tool
Wing loading calculator
Enter your body weight, gear weight, and canopy size to calculate your wing loading — with safety guidance for every experience level.
Typical full rig ≈ 20–25 lbs
Wing loading reference
What is wing loading?
Wing loading is the ratio of your exit weight (body weight plus full gear) to your canopy area, measured in pounds per square foot (lbs/sq ft). It tells you how much work your canopy has to do to keep you in the air.
A lower wing loading means slower, more forgiving flight. A higher loading means faster descent, a steeper glide, and less margin for turbulence or off-heading openings. As wing loading increases, so does the consequence of mistakes.
How to calculate wing loading
Your exit weight is your body weight plus the weight of your full rig. A complete setup — container, main canopy, reserve, AAD, and helmet — typically weighs between 20 and 25 lbs (9–11 kg). Use the calculator above and adjust the gear weight if you know your rig's exact weight.
Wing loading and licence progression
Most governing bodies — including the USPA and APF — recommend conservative wing loadings for newer skydivers. The general guidance is:
- < 1.1A-licence skydivers developing canopy skills. Comfortable openings, slow approach speeds.
- 1.1–1.3B–C licence range. Responsive handling with reasonable margin for turbulence.
- 1.3–1.5Advanced territory. Off-heading openings and turbulence become significantly more consequential.
- > 1.5High performance — requires formal canopy piloting instruction and dedicated practice.
Frequently asked questions
Does wing loading change if I lose or gain weight?
Yes — your wing loading changes with your body weight. A 10 lb change on a 170 sq ft canopy shifts wing loading by about 0.06 lbs/sq ft. Weigh yourself in full kit if accuracy matters.
Should I include my clothing and helmet in gear weight?
For a rough calculation the default gear weight covers it. For precision, weigh your complete kit — container, main, reserve, AAD, helmet, jumpsuit, and shoes — on scales.
Is a lower wing loading always safer?
In most conditions, yes. Very lightly loaded canopies can be harder to land in strong wind because they move backwards over the ground. A loading appropriate for your experience is more important than the lowest possible number.
How fast should I progress to a higher wing loading?
Canopy coaches typically recommend no more than 0.1 lbs/sq ft per step, with at least 100–200 jumps on each canopy before downsizing. Formal canopy piloting courses are strongly recommended before moving above 1.3 lbs/sq ft.
Track your canopy, reserve repack dates, and AAD service intervals in Jump Logs — the skydiving logbook built for serious jumpers.