Helium Needed
25.0 cu ft
Tanks
1
Float Time
8h
Total Cost
$63
Helium Required
25.0 cu ft
1 Large (28.2 cu ft) tank
Float Time
8h
Balloon Cost
$8
Total Cost
$63
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Inputs
Result
50 × 0.5 cu ft = 25 cu ft. Best tank: Large (28.2 cu ft) at $55. Balloons: 50 × $0.15 = $7.50. Total: $62.50 ≈ $63.
Inputs
Result
30 × 0.5 = 15 cu ft. Best tank: Medium (14.9 cu ft) at $40. Balloons: 30 × $1.50 = $45. Total: $85.
An 11-inch latex balloon needs 0.5 cubic feet of helium. A 14-inch latex needs 0.8 cu ft, an 18-inch foil balloon 0.5 cu ft, and a 36-inch jumbo latex needs 15 cu ft. A standard small helium tank (8.9 cu ft) fills about 18 standard 11-inch latex balloons.
| Tank Size | 11" Latex | 18" Foil | 36" Jumbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (8.9 cu ft) | 17 balloons | 17 balloons | 0 balloons |
| Medium (14.9 cu ft) | 29 balloons | 29 balloons | 0 balloons |
| Large (28.2 cu ft) | 56 balloons | 56 balloons | 1 balloon |
| Jumbo (55 cu ft) | 110 balloons | 110 balloons | 3 balloons |
Standard 11-inch latex balloons float 8–12 hours. Foil/mylar balloons float 3–5 days. Jumbo 36-inch latex lasts about 24 hours. Hi-Float sealant extends latex float time by 2–2.5x, giving 11-inch balloons up to 20 hours. Always inflate latex balloons the day of the event.
For 50 standard 11-inch latex balloons, you need 25 cu ft of helium — a large tank (28.2 cu ft) at about $55 rental. The most cost-effective approach is to match one large or jumbo tank rather than multiple small ones. A jumbo tank (55 cu ft) fills 110 standard balloons for about $85.
For 50 standard 11-inch latex balloons, budget $13–18 for balloons ($0.15–0.25 each) plus $55 for a large helium tank rental. Total: $68–$73. Add $5 for Hi-Float sealant if needed. Foil balloons cost $1.50–3.50 each but last much longer, making them more cost-effective for multi-day events.
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Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026
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