Skydiving centers generally state that tandem passengers must weigh between 200-220 and 230-250 pounds. There is usually no minimum weight and only an age limit (18 years in the US).
Dropzones may have ”heavy upcharges” built into their pricing models. This means that heavier customers are charged more ($1 per pound over 220lbs). These policies are not intended to criticize you for being fat or overweight. They simply reflect the amount of work required to make a skydive a success. The most respected dropzone staff will adhere to similar thresholds.
Sometimes dropzone staff need to assess potential tandem jumpers on-site. For guests with higher weights, this may be necessary. They must also test the fit of the harness and have the student show that they can lift their feet from a seated position to land.
As skydiving experts, it is the instructors’ responsibility to evaluate potential safety concerns. They don’t want to make anyone feel embarrassed about their bodies. However, they want to be transparent about the factors that affect their decisions.

Why is it crucial to set a standard weight limit for skydiving?
The manufacturer of the equipment determines the limits of its use. It may require that the total weight of tandems using the system not exceed 500 pounds.
This is the total weight of all the components and the final rig design. Before being released on the market, all components and final rig designs must pass rigorous testing in line with TSO (Technical Standard Order) from the Federal Aviation Administration. Tandem skydiving must remain within these tested limits of its gear.
You Need To Fit The Tandem Harness
It could lead to catastrophic problems if the harness is not properly fitted. The height and weight chart can help you determine who is able to safely use the tandem harness.
Parachute Max Weight Capability
Physical Strength To Land An Overweight
Can you skydive if you weigh 300 pounds?
We get asked this most frequently and the answer is ”usually no”. The weight limit for AFF (Accelerated Flying Fall) is 225 lbs. There are no exceptions. However, some dropzones can accommodate tandem jumps up to 265 lbs.
What is the max weight limit for skydiving?
Dropzones in the US limit tandem students to 220 pounds. There are fees to be paid for women who weigh more than 200 pounds and men who weigh more than 220. However, some dropzones can accommodate customers who weigh up to 250 pounds, or even more, depending on available spots and the jumper’s and instructor’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
Do heavier skydivers fall faster?
Skydiving Weight Limit In California
Weight Limit For Skydiving In Florida
The standard weight limit is maximum 220 pounds for men and women. However, some dropzones in Florida offer a max limit to 230 pounds. They can be pretty strict about this, but if you slightly surpass that limit, givet hem a call and see if you can hammer out a solution with them.
Tandem Parachuting Weight Limits In The USA
Although there are standard weight limits in the USA (230-250lbs for men and 200-220lbs for women), in practice, the weight limit is not always fixed and depends on the jumper’s fitness level, ability to handle the parachute, the staff, and other things like type of jump and number of available spots.