What Is the Terminal Velocity of Someone Skydiving?
So exactly how fast are you falling when you skydive?
During a tandem skydive, you’ll experience about 60 seconds of freefall, which is more than enough time for your body to reach what scientists call terminal velocity.
The terminal velocity of a human is simply the point where gravity pulling you downward is balanced by air resistance pushing upward. When those forces equalize, you stop accelerating and reach your maximum falling speed.
For most skydivers flying in the classic belly-to-earth position, human terminal velocity is about 120 mph (193 km/h). After exiting the aircraft, it usually takes around 10–12 seconds of acceleration before you reach this maximum falling speed for a human in stable freefall.
But that number isn’t fixed. Several factors can affect the terminal velocity of a person skydiving, including body position, equipment, and the type of jump you’re doing.
Let’s take a closer look.
How Body Position Changes Human Terminal Velocity
When you jump from an airplane, you don’t instantly reach top speed. Instead, you accelerate for several seconds until you hit terminal velocity—the fastest speed you can fall while air resistance balances gravity.
In skydiving terms, terminal velocity is the point where you stop accelerating and continue falling at a constant speed. For most skydivers:
- Average terminal velocity: ~120 mph
- Time to reach terminal velocity: ~12 seconds
- Total freefall time: ~60 seconds (from typical tandem altitudes)
So, how fast do you go when skydiving? For most people, around 120 mph is the magic number.
Why Tandem Skydivers Use a Drogue PARACHUTE
If you’ve ever seen a tandem skydive video, you may have noticed a small white parachute trailing behind the pair during freefall. That’s called a drogue, and it’s used only on tandem skydives.
The tandem instructor deploys the drogue immediately after exiting the aircraft. It serves three important purposes:
- Stabilizes the pair in freefall
- Slows the freefall speed
- Helps deploy the main parachute
Without a drogue, a tandem pair would fall much faster than normal. Here’s why:
A solo skydiver falling belly-to-earth has a balance of mass and surface area that results in a freefall speed of about 120 mph. But when a tandem instructor is strapped to a passenger, the surface area stays similar while the mass nearly doubles.
Without extra drag, tandem skydivers could reach speeds close to 200 mph—which would make parachute deployment uncomfortable at best. The drogue adds just enough drag to bring tandem freefall speed back to a smooth, safe 120 mph.
Human Terminal Velocity by Skydiving Position
| Skydiving Position | Approximate Falling Speed |
|---|---|
| Belly-to-earth (typical human terminal velocity) | ~120 mph |
| Head-up freefly (stand position) | ~150 mph |
| Head-down freefly (head to earth) | 170–180 mph |
| Tandem skydiving with drogue | ~120 mph |
| Wingsuit flight | ~40–60 mph vertical speed |
As the table shows, the terminal velocity of a human can vary widely depending on body position and drag. While most tandem skydivers experience speeds around 120 mph, experienced skydivers flying vertically can significantly increase their maximum falling speed.
How Fast Does Terminal Velocity Feel?
Here’s the surprising part: freefall, even at terminal velocity, doesn’t usually feel fast.
Without visual reference points, your brain doesn’t register speed the way it does in a car or on a roller coaster. Many first-time skydivers are shocked to discover that freefall often feels more like floating than falling.
You might notice clouds zipping by or the ground gradually getting closer, but there’s no stomach-dropping sensation or “ground rush.” Just smooth, weightless flight—dreamy and unreal.
How Fast Do You Fall With the Parachute Open?
Once the parachute deploys, everything changes.
With the canopy open, you’re no longer in freefall. Your vertical descent slows to about 15 mph, giving you time to relax, enjoy the views, and even chat with your instructor as you glide back to earth.
It’s the perfect contrast: intense speed followed by peaceful flight.
Ready to experience terminal velocity for yourself? Book your tandem skydive here.
Still have questions? Contact us!