Buoyancy & conditions / Calculator 04
Estimated Diving Weight Calculator
Get a rough starting estimate for ballast based on body weight, exposure protection, cylinder, experience and fresh or salt water.
The numbers / explained
Ready when you are.
Start with the example or enter your own numbers, then calculate.
Every result includes units. All calculations run in your browser.
01 / The calculation
How it works
A heuristic combines a percentage of body weight for the suit, approximate cylinder buoyancy, a ±1% body-composition adjustment, and a small experience adjustment. Salt water adds 2.5% of the estimated total system weight. All adjustments appear with the result.
Reference: PADI: Weighting and buoyancy checks02 / Before you use it
Keep in mind
A starting estimate, not a prescribed amount of lead. Suit fit, undergarments, cylinder make and remaining gas can change buoyancy greatly. Complete an in-water weight check with your actual equipment and instructor; verify that you can hold a shallow stop near the end of the dive. The displayed range is a heuristic, not a confidence interval.