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Density altitude calculator

Barometric skydiving altimeters compute pressure and convert this to an indicated altitude. Density altitude, which takes into account temperature and humidity as well, is not measured although it is critical for flight performance. Those unfamiliar with these concepts can see our article Altitude types: pressure, indicated, true, density. Use this tool to compute current density altitude at your location. You can fetch current weather conditions at your dropzone by entering its airport code, or set the conditions yourself.

How it works. The tool runs the full three-step density form—dewpoint to water-vapor pressure, two-gas density, then a standard-atmosphere lookup. Current weather is the latest METAR observation from NOAA’s Aviation Weather Center, shown raw above so you can check it yourself. It is an observation, never a forecast. The formulas, and where every constant in them comes from, are derived in our altitude types article.

This tool is educational. Weather observations age, conditions change between any observation and any jump, and no number here accounts for wind, turbulence, or traffic. Many other factors contribute to canopy performance besides density altitude including but not limited to: wing loading, canopy size, trim, and planform. Nothing on this page is a substitute for proper training by certified instructors or for your own judgment at the dropzone. See, for example, the United States Parachute Association's Integrated Student Program, described in the Skydiver's Information Manual.