How Many Regular Helium Balloons Would It Take to Lift Someone?

Helium has a lifting force of about 1 gram per liter. So if you have a helium balloon that contains 5 liters of helium, the balloon can lift about 5 grams.

A normal balloon at an amusement park might be 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) in diameter. To determine how many liters of helium a sphere can hold, the equation is 4/3 x pi x r x r x r. The radius of a 30-centimeter-diameter balloon is 15 centimeters, so:

4/3 x pi x 15 x 15 x 15 = 14,137 cubic centimeters = 14 liters

That means a normal amusement park balloon can lift about 14 grams, assuming that the weight of the balloon itself and the string is negligible.

If you weigh 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds), then you weigh 50,000 grams. Divide your 50,000 grams by the 14 grams per balloon and you find that you need 3,571.42 balloons to lift your weight. You might want to add 500 more if you actually would like to rise at a reasonable rate, bringing the total to about 4,000 balloons for someone who weighs 50 kilograms. You can adjust that number according to your weight.

Let's say that instead of going to the amusement park, you go to an army surplus store and buy one 3-meter (about 10-foot) balloon. It can hold:

4/3 x pi x 150 x 150 x 150 = 14,137,000 cubic centimeters = 14,137 liters

It would only take four of those to give you the same lift as 4,000 standard amusement park balloons.

Even more impressive, consider a colossal balloon that's 30 meters (about 100 feet) in diameter and displaces 14,137,000 liters. A balloon of that size can lift 14,000 kilograms (about 31,000 pounds) — roughly the size of a large blimp.

The dream of soaring through the sky tethered to a cluster of balloons isn't entirely far-fetched. So, you could be soaring to new heights in no time. Of course, this is certainly something we would not recommend trying for safety reasons. While these calculations offer a theoretical understanding, actual implementation involves complexities like altitude and wind speed — not to mention the need for a controlled descent. It's fun to dream, though.

Helium Balloons FAQ

How many helium balloons would it take to lift a person?

A helium balloon can typically lift 14 grams, assuming you don't count the weight of the balloon or the string. Convert your weight into grams and then divide by 14 to determine how many helium-filled balloons you would need.

How much weight can a helium balloon lift?

A standard helium balloon can lift approximately 0.03 pounds or 14 grams. However, this depends on several factors, such as the weight and size of the balloon itself and the string.

How much helium does it take to fill 100 balloons?

Each helium balloon can contain up to 14 liters of air. Assuming this standard, you'll need 1,400 liters of helium to fill 100 balloons.

How many helium balloons does it take to lift a pound?

One pound is equivalent to 453.592 grams. Since each helium balloon can lift up to 14 grams, you'll need about 33 balloons to lift a one-pound object.

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.