Weighting reference

Buoyancy and Weight Estimator

This tool provides an approximate starting weight for recreational divers preparing for an in-water weighting check. Body weight and exposure protection offer a useful first-trial guideline, but individual buoyancy and equipment vary. You must confirm your weighting in the water with your intended equipment and near-end-of-dive reserve pressure. For deeper dives on this subject, see our guides on Buoyancy & Weighting and Balanced Rigs.

Body and Water

Body Weight (lbs)

Enter 50 to 400 lb.

Water Type

Dive Gear

Exposure Protection

Cylinder Manufacturer and Model

Uses seawater buoyancy at approximately 500 PSI. Cylinders of the same material can have different buoyancy.

BCD Type

Jacket BCD Backplate and wing

Starting trial

Estimated Starting Weight

Choose your equipment and water type, then calculate a starting estimate.

How to use this starting estimate

Use this estimate to prepare for an actual in-water weighting check, not as a verified ballast requirement. Drysuits and undergarments have especially significant uncertainty. Check with your actual equipment at near-end-of-dive cylinder pressure; correct ballast is only one part of a balanced equipment configuration.