# Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc — Lift generated by a Balloon

> Physics-based hot air balloon lift calculation and simulation app. (iPhone/iPad app by Nitrio.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hot-air-balloon-lift-calc/id1444265786 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Nitrio](https://appshunter.io/developer/321121189)
- Category: Education, Utilities, Productivity
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 2.33/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 2 MB
- Languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish, Chinese
- Released: 2018-12-02
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hot-air-balloon-lift-calc/id1444265786/reviews.md

## What is Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc?

Discover the science of flight. Calculate real hot air balloon lift forces with physics-based accuracy — instantly and completely offline.
Whether you're a student, educator, aerospace enthusiast, or just curious about how hot air balloons work, Balloon Lift Calculator brings real atmospheric physics to your fingertips. Adjust parameters, watch the animated balloon respond in real time, and understand exactly what makes a balloon rise or fall.

REAL PHYSICS ENGINE
Powered by the ideal gas law and Archimedes' principle — the same science that governs real balloon flight. Air density is calculated from temperature and pressure using the atmospheric gas constant. See how every variable affects lift in real time.

LIVE ANIMATED SIMULATION
Watch a beautifully animated hot air balloon rise, hover, or fall based on your inputs. The balloon changes color to reflect its lift status, the flame glows when aloft, and a gentle oscillation brings it to life when floating.

FULL PARAMETER CONTROL
- Balloon Volume: 100 to 10,000 m³ (or cubic feet)
- Outside Air Temperature
- Inside Envelope Temperature
- Payload Weight
- Advanced: Air Pressure & Gravity override

INSTANT RESULTS
- Lift Capacity (kg or lbs)
- Net Lift (kg or lbs)
- Status: Can Lift / Borderline / Cannot Lift
- Tap any result to copy it instantly

QUICK PRESETS
- Jump straight to Small (500 m³), Medium (2,000 m³), or Large (5,000 m³) balloon configurations with a single tap.
METRIC & IMPERIAL
- Seamlessly switch between metric and imperial units at any time.
BUILT-IN REFERENCE
- Formulas, physical constants, and status thresholds — all documented inside the app for learning and verification.
100% OFFLINE
- No internet connection required. No ads. No subscriptions. No data collection. Just pure physics.

The lift generated by a balloon varies with the temperature differential, which is the difference in temperature inside the balloon compared to that of the surrounding air mass and the air pressure. The buoyant force pushes upwards on the heated air inside the envelope. The components of a hot air balloon, such as the envelope, burner, fuel tanks, gondola, and passengers, must weigh less than the lift force for the buoyant force to completely lift the hot air balloon off the ground.

The lifting force from a hot air balloon depends on the density difference between the balloon air and surrounding air, as well as the balloon volume.

Formula:
L = Palt * V / Rs * ( 1 / Tamb - 1 / Tenv ) 

Where:
L - is the balloon payload lift
Rs - is the specific gas constant (for dry air: 287.058) (J*kg⁻¹*K⁻¹)
Palt - is the atmospheric pressure at the operating altitude
V - is the envelope volume
Tamb - is the ambient temperature
Tenv - is the envelope temperature

Perfect for:
Physics students and teachers · Aerospace & aviation enthusiasts · Science fair projects · Curious minds of all ages · Pilots and balloon hobbyists

For educational purposes. Not intended for actual flight planning.

Thanks for your support, and do visit nitrio.com for more apps for your iOS devices.

## Key features

- Physics-based lift calculations
- Live animated balloon simulation
- Adjustable balloon volume
- Control outside and inside temperatures
- Payload weight adjustment
- Metric and imperial unit support
- Offline functionality

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hot-air-balloon-lift-calc/id1444265786/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Input

*2021-09-13, version 1.1*

I have to put all the inputs in the program does not work do not buy

### 1/5 — Simple rating

*2021-01-08, version 1.1*

This app simply doesn’t work

## Frequently asked questions about Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc

### What is the price of Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc?

Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc is a paid app priced at $2.99. This one-time purchase grants you access to all its features without any additional costs or subscriptions.

### Does Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc have ads?

No, Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc is completely ad-free. The developer has stated that it contains no advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted learning experience.

### What devices is Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc compatible with?

Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It is designed to run on Apple's iOS platform.

### How often is Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc updated?

The latest version of Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc is 1.5, last updated on April 7, 2026. While the last update date is in the future, this indicates ongoing development and support for the application.

### What is the age rating for Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc?

Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc has an age rating of 4+. This means it is suitable for children aged 4 and above, offering educational content in a safe and accessible format.

### Can I use Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc offline?

Yes, Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc is 100% offline. You do not need an internet connection to use its features, making it convenient for use anywhere.

### What learning methodology does Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc use?

Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc employs a hands-on, simulation-based learning methodology. Users can adjust physics parameters and observe real-time animated responses, fostering an intuitive understanding of atmospheric physics principles.

### Does Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc offer certifications?

Hot Air Balloon Lift Calc is designed for educational purposes and does not offer any formal certifications. It serves as a tool for learning and exploration of hot air balloon physics.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2026-04-07

- Optimized for the latest devices.
- Fixed minor bugs.
- Improved and redesigned the UI.

### 1.3 — 2026-02-28

- Updated for the newest devices.
- Minor bugs fixed.

### 1.2 — 2024-01-08

- Updated for the newest devices.
- Minor UI update.
- Minor bugs fixed.

### 1.1 — 2020-11-06

- Update for Newest Devices
- bug Fixed

### 1.0 — 2018-12-01

No release notes.

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All apps by Nitrio: https://appshunter.io/developer/321121189

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*