Balloon calculator: how many balloons do you need?

Quick guide

How to use the balloon calculator

1. Enter your number of guests and the room length and width in metres.
2. Choose Minimal, Standard or Statement for how much decor you want.
3. Press Work it out to see Your Balloon & Decor Guide.
4. Use Copy my guide or Print / Save as PDF to take the figures to your supplier.

What it does

• Uses guest count and room dimensions
• Three decor levels: minimal, standard, statement
• Suggests a balloon arch size
• Estimates balloons, bunting and helium
• Copy, print or save as PDF

Use it with

• Party Theme & Costume Idea Generator – choose your milestone and a vibe to get a party theme idea. Includes a dress code, colour palette and decor tips
• Christmas Party Countdown Checklist – a tick-off checklist of 24 Christmas party tasks grouped into four stages, from six or more weeks before the party down to the day itself
• Party Guest List & RSVP Tracker – track party guests, RSVPs, plus-ones and dietary needs in one list with a live headcount. It saves automatically in your browser
• Invitation Wording Generator – pick a birthday or anniversary milestone and a formal, fun or heartfelt tone to get ready-to-use party invitation wording with placeholders to fill in

Planning tips

Before you order the balloons

Check the venue's rules first

Many halls and hotels don't allow anything stuck to the walls, and some ban confetti balloons, glitter or table sparklers because of the clean-up. Ask before you order, and find out how early you can get in to decorate on the day.

Plan the helium timing

Standard latex balloons filled with helium usually stay up for less than a day, so inflate them on the day or the evening before at the earliest. Foil balloons last much longer. If you are hiring a helium canister, check its size against the number of balloons the calculator suggests before you collect it.

Measure the room, not just the guest list

Arches and garlands are sized by the space they fill, so measure doorways, the top table and the ceiling height before ordering. Keep tall displays and arches away from the dance floor lights and any fire exits, and leave a clear path to the bar.

Tim’s tip

Use the balloon calculator as a starting point, then keep clusters and arches clear of the DJ area and dancefloor lighting. Helium balloons drift towards warm lights and fans, and they can block the light effects you are paying for.

Made by Tim Daymond (Tinsel Tim). Tim has been a DJ since 1976 and has run Mobile Disco Network since 2013. He plays weddings and parties across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. He is a Norfolk County Council Trading Standards Trusted Trader (ID 0000457), a member of the NADJ and the winner of 23 independent awards.

Why choose Tim · Awards · Reviews

Your privacy: this tool runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to Mobile Disco Network or stored on a server. Nothing is saved once you close the page. Email buttons only open your own email app, and nothing is sent until you press send.

Free to use, no sign-up. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.