Party ideas and how-tos

How Long Will My Balloon Float For? Helium Float Times

Our customers often ask us about the different float times of our balloons. This is understandable given the various shapes and sizes of balloons on offer on our website!

Happy New Year! May this year bring us all joy, peace and good tidings! Our customers often ask us about the different float times of our balloons. This is understandable given the various shapes and sizes of balloons on offer on our website!

Balloon float times depend on a number of factors, such as size, material (foil, latex, PVC), filling (paper or foil confetti, florals etc.) and attachments. We will discuss these in more detail in this blog post. Here is our helium chart:

helium chart balloon size how much diy how to shimmer and confetti

Now, let's take a look at some of our most popular balloons:

Latex Balloons

Latex balloons look fabulous when inflated using helium. However, there are some points to consider when inflating latex balloons with helium. Latex is a porous material. As such, helium begins to seep out from the moment the balloon is inflated. We recommend inflating latex balloons with helium as close to the event as possible in order for them to look their best throughout.

As a rough guide, expect your latex balloons to float for approximately 8-12 hours if inflated to their maximum size with high-quality helium. Please note though, that factors such as temperature, accessories, and decorations used will all have an impact.

Confetti Balloons

Confetti balloons look gorgeous when inflated with air or helium. Regardless of whether you choose to have the confetti pool at the bottom of the balloon, or stuck to the wall of the balloon, the end result is equally as dazzling.

However, adding confetti to a balloon increases the weight of the balloon, and thus reduces the float times. Confetti balloons can float for approximately 6-10 hours. We advise our customers to inflate their balloons 1-2 hours before the event.

Foil Balloons

Foil balloons float for longer periods of time than their latex counterparts when inflated with helium. Some of our customers have reported that their balloons stayed afloat for days (sometimes weeks). Thus, you can inflate your foil balloons a day or two prior to your event. The main reason why foil balloons last this long is the material they are made of (mylar). Mylar is much less porous than latex and so does not allow the helium to escape as quickly as latex balloons. Float times vary between sizes and shapes of all balloons but the most common foil size is the 18-inch round balloon, which can stay looking freshly inflated for around 3-5 days. Animal-shaped foil balloons are generally larger and can stay inflated for weeks!

What affects float time?

Balloon attachments such as curling ribbons and garlands will reduce float times due to their added weight.

Extending the float time

You may extend the float time of your balloon by using Hi-Float. Hi-Float works by coating the inside of the balloon, creating a thin lining/membrane to prevent helium escaping quickly. We hope these tips keep your balloons up there with the best of them, for the time you need!