Advertising sphere: helium or air?
Choose the construction, diameter and display mode. See the sphere to scale next to a person, its volume and whether it will float on helium.
The sphere in numbers
- Volume of helium
- 65.4 m³65,450 l
- Print surface
- 78.5 m²
- Circumference
- 15.7 m
- Helium lift
- 65 kg
- Skin weight (est.)
- 55 kg
- Net lift
- +10 kg
- Helium cylinders (50 l, 200 bar)
- approx. 8
Inflation: electric pump included. A sealed-air sphere needs no constant power supply.
Preview to scale. The artwork is illustrative - we prepare the print design after ordering.
Your sphere
- Construction: Double-skin
- Diameter: 5 m (65.4 m³)
- Where it will be used: On helium
- Look and branding: full-colour print
We quote this configuration individually - send an enquiry and we will reply with price and lead time.
Helium lifts, the skin weighs
Helium lift grows with the volume of the sphere (diameter cubed), the skin weight only with its surface (squared). In small spheres the skin wins. A light single-skin sphere floats from 3 m, a double-skin one - with its second layer and print - from 4.5 m.
Single-skin
Double-skin
Estimate: lift 1 kg per m³ of helium, skin approx. 0.45 kg per m² (single-skin) and 0.7 kg per m² (double-skin). Actual lift depends on temperature, altitude and helium purity.
What each sphere can do
| Single-skin | Double-skin < 4.5 m | Double-skin from 4.5 m | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diameters | 1.8-4 m | 3.5-4 m | 4.5-6 m |
| Look | white or transparent | full-colour print | full-colour print |
| Branding | film sticker (quote) | print on 100% of surface | print on 100% of surface |
| Air | yes | yes | yes |
| Helium | yes, from 3 m | will not float | yes - floats |
| Best for | ground, suspended, helium from 3 m | ground, suspended | in the air on lines |
Single-skin or double-skin sphere?
A single-skin sphere is one layer of fabric: white or transparent, without print. A logo is applied with a transfer-film sticker. A double-skin sphere has an outer skin with full-colour print over the whole surface and a gas-tight bladder. Both can work on air or - from the right diameter - on helium.
From what diameter does an advertising sphere float on helium?
Single-skin from 3 m, double-skin from 4.5 m - the second layer and the print add weight. A 3 m sphere holds about 14 m³ of helium, 4.5 m about 48 m³, 5 m about 65 m³ and 6 m about 113 m³. A helium sphere is anchored with lines to heavy objects nearby or to permanent structures, not to sandbags.
What is a small printed sphere for?
A 3.5-4 m double-skin sphere with full print stands at the entrance, on stage, on water, or hangs from a hall ceiling or truss. It is inflated with the electric pump included - no constant power needed.
How much helium or air does a sphere need?
The volume of a sphere is π·d³/6 - that much helium or air fills it. A 50 l cylinder at 200 bar gives about 9 m³ of helium.
| Diameter | Volume | Surface | Helium | Helium cylinders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø 1.8 m | 3.1 m³ (3,054 l) | 10.2 m² | no | - |
| Ø 2 m | 4.2 m³ (4,189 l) | 12.6 m² | no | - |
| Ø 2.5 m | 8.2 m³ (8,181 l) | 19.6 m² | no | - |
| Ø 3 m | 14.1 m³ (14,137 l) | 28.3 m² | yes (single-skin) | approx. 2 |
| Ø 3.5 m | 22.4 m³ (22,449 l) | 38.5 m² | yes (single-skin) | approx. 3 |
| Ø 4 m | 33.5 m³ (33,510 l) | 50.3 m² | yes (single-skin) | approx. 4 |
| Ø 4.5 m | 47.7 m³ (47,713 l) | 63.6 m² | yes (double-skin) | approx. 6 |
| Ø 5 m | 65.4 m³ (65,450 l) | 78.5 m² | yes (double-skin) | approx. 8 |
| Ø 6 m | 113.1 m³ (113,097 l) | 113.1 m² | yes (double-skin) | approx. 13 |
Estimate: lift 1 kg per m³ of helium, skin approx. 0.45 kg per m² (single-skin) and 0.7 kg per m² (double-skin). Actual lift depends on temperature, altitude and helium purity. 50 l / 200 bar ≈ 9 m³.
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