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As a balloon decorator, you know how frustrating it can be to run out of helium in the middle of a job. Knowing exactly how much helium you have and how much helium you need for a specific job is vital to a successful balloon install. Our job estimator and tank calculator tools are essential for any balloon business. With just a few clicks, you can determine the exact tank size and amount of helium needed for any project, from small events to large-scale installations.
How Much Helium
The exact amount of helium you need will depend on factors such as the size and number of balloons, as well as any specific design requirements for your balloon installation. By following the steps below and using the appropriate calculations, you can estimate the amount of helium required for your particular balloon job.
Determine The Number And Size Of Balloons
Estimate the total number of balloons you will be using for the job and note down their sizes (Example: 9″, 11″, 12″, 18″, etc.).
Check Balloon Capacity
Find out the helium capacity for each balloon size. This information is usually available from the balloon manufacturer or supplier. It is typically listed in cubic feet (cu ft). I have listed many of the typical sizes of balloons here.
Balloon Size Capacity
| Balloon Size | Balloon Capacity |
|---|---|
| 9″ | 0.3 |
| 11″ | 0.5 |
| 12″ | 0.6 |
| 16″ | 1.5 |
| 18″ | 2 |
| 24″ | 5 |
| 36″ | 15 |
Calculate The Total Helium Needed
Multiply the helium capacity of each balloon size by the number of balloons of that size you plan to use. Add up the results for all balloon sizes to get the total helium volume required.
| How Many Balloons | 9″ | 11″ | 12″ | 16″ | 18″ | 24″ | 36″ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 50 | 150 |
| 20 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 30 | 40 | 100 | 300 |
| 30 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 45 | 60 | 150 | 450 |
| 40 | 12 | 20 | 24 | 60 | 80 | 200 | 600 |
| 50 | 15 | 25 | 30 | 75 | 100 | 250 | 750 |
| 60 | 18 | 30 | 36 | 90 | 120 | 300 | 900 |
| 70 | 21 | 35 | 42 | 105 | 140 | 350 | 1,050 |
| 80 | 24 | 40 | 48 | 120 | 160 | 400 | 1,200 |
| 90 | 27 | 45 | 54 | 135 | 180 | 450 | 1,350 |
| 100 | 30 | 50 | 60 | 150 | 200 | 500 | 1,500 |
| 200 | 60 | 100 | 120 | 300 | 400 | 1,000 | 3,000 |
| 300 | 90 | 150 | 180 | 450 | 600 | 1,500 | 4,500 |
| 400 | 120 | 200 | 240 | 600 | 800 | 2,000 | 6,000 |
| 500 | 150 | 250 | 300 | 750 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 7,500 |
| 600 | 180 | 300 | 360 | 900 | 1,200 | 3,000 | 9,000 |
| 700 | 210 | 350 | 420 | 1,050 | 1,400 | 3,500 | 10,500 |
| 800 | 240 | 400 | 480 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 4,000 | 12,000 |
| 900 | 270 | 450 | 540 | 1,350 | 1,800 | 4,500 | 13,500 |
| 1,000 | 300 | 500 | 600 | 1,500 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
Determine Tank Capacity And PSI
Determine the capacity of your helium tank(s) available for the job. Tank capacity is typically measured in cubic feet (cu ft) or liters (L). This information can usually be found on the tank or obtained from the supplier.
Next, you will want to know the pressure inside the tank when the tank(s) are full. The pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). When you first get a tank filled, put the regulator valve on the tank and write down the psi of the tank when it is full.
Pro Tip: Write the psi on a piece of painter’s tape or masking tape and stick it to the side of the tank so you always have the full psi of your tanks.
So what if you didn’t look at your tank psi when you first got it filled? Well you are in luck, I found a cheat sheet for you. Check out this handy cheat sheet for figuring out what your psi would have been for a full tank of helium.
This may not be exact but it will be helpful in a pinch.
| Tank Size (cu ft) | Pressure (psi) |
|---|---|
| 291 | 2640 |
| 242 | 2485 |
| 214 | 2200 |
| 195 | 2200 |
| 125 | 2015 |
| 80 | 2015 |
| 55 | 1800 |
| 27 | 1800 |
| 24 | 2015 |
| 14 | 2015 |
| 8 | 2015 |
Determine Current Tank PSI
Determine the current psi of the tank(s) available for the job. This will involve you looking at the gauge on the helium tank(s).
Calculate How Much Helium In A Tank
Calculate the amount of helium left in a tank by dividing the current psi by the original psi of the tank, then multiply by the original volume of the tank. This will give you how many cubic feet of helium is left in your tank.
You may have to repeat these steps for each tank if you have multiple helium tanks.
Compare Needed Vs Available
Compare the total helium needed for the job (calculated two steps ago) with the helium left in the tank (in the previous step).
If the required helium volume is greater than the tank capacity, you will need to refill or rent additional tanks to complete the job.
In this example, I would need to get more helium.
Figuring Out The Unit Cost Of Helium
This will depend on the size of your helium tank and where you get it from. For this example, I will use the
Take the total price of the helium tank (at the time of writing this article was $tbd) and divide that by how many balloons you could fill from that tank.
How Many Balloons You Could Fill With Helium
| Tank Size cu ft | 9″ Balloons | 11″ Balloons | 12″ Balloons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1,000 | 600 | 500 |
| 250 | 830 | 500 | 415 |
| 125 | 415 | 250 | 205 |
| 80 | 260 | 160 | 130 |
| 60 | 200 | 120 | 100 |
| 40 | 130 | 80 | 65 |
| 25 | 80 | 50 | 40 |
| 14.9 | 50 | 30 | 25 |
| 8.9 | 30 | 17 | 14 |
Unit Cost Of Helium Based On Tank Size
The cost to fill a helium tank can vary depending on several factors, including your location, supplier, and current market rates. Additionally, prices can change over time due to various factors, so it’s essential to check with local helium suppliers or contact specific vendors for accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
If you want more information on buying and renting helium tanks as well as where to get them filled, check out my post The Best Helium Tanks: Everything You Need To Know here.
| Tank Size cu ft | Price | 9″ Balloons Unit Cost | 11″ Balloons Unit Cost | 12″ Balloons Unit Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | $ | |||
| 250 | $ | |||
| 125 | $ | |||
| 80 | $ | |||
| 60 | $ | |||
| 40 | $ | |||
| 25 | $ | |||
| 14.9 | $74.99 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $3.00 |
| 8.9 | $49.99 | $1.67 | $2.94 | $3.57 |
These price ranges are estimates and can vary depending on your specific location and market conditions. To obtain the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information, it is recommended to contact local helium suppliers, gas companies, or party rental stores that offer helium filling services. They will be able to provide you with the most relevant cost information based on your location and any additional fees or charges that may apply.
By following these steps and using the job estimator and tank calculator tool, you can accurately determine the amount of helium you need for any balloon installation or event. This will help ensure that you have enough helium to complete the job without running out halfway through.
I hope this post brought value to your day. If it did, please consider sharing it with a friend or on your favorite social media. Thanks For Reading Fun With Balloons!
