Pump Timer Calculator
An electric inflator's timer gives the same size every time — but which size depends on your pump, its nozzle and your balloons. Measure a few balloons and this calculator works out the timer curve for your own setup. Paste the code into BalloonBuilder Columns or Walls, and every timer in your designs is for your pump.
How to measure
- Choose your pump. The pump is critical: if you calibrate a Lagenda B322, choose Lagenda as the starting point; for a Premium Twin-Air Sizer II, choose Premium. For any other pump brand or model, choose “Another pump”.
- Use the balloons you really build with — the same brand and finish. Fill in only the balloon types you use.
- Set the timer, inflate a balloon and measure it with a sizer or tape: the diameter at the widest point for round balloons, the long axis (end to end) for Link-O-Loons.
- Best: at least 4 timer settings across a wide range — for 12" balloons, for example, from about 12 cm / 5 in up to 25 cm / 10 in. Each balloon type shows its range below.
- Measure two or three balloons at each setting and enter the average.
- Copy the code at the bottom of the page.
Rough calibration: with Lagenda or Premium chosen, one or two measurements are enough to adjust the built-in timer curve of that pump to your pump and balloons. It is quicker, but may not be accurate across the whole range. With three or more settings the calculator works out the whole curve from your measurements. With any other pump, always measure at least 4 settings.
Your code
Fill in at least one balloon type to get a code.
Paste it into BalloonBuilder
- Open BalloonBuilder Columns or Walls.
- In the pump list, choose ⚙ Calibrate your own pump…
- Paste the code and press Save and use.
The code is saved in that browser and used by both Columns and Walls. Only the balloon types you filled in are in it — with your pump, the other types show no timer. Your measurements on this page are kept in this browser too, so you can come back and add more.
Good to know
Timer settings are a guide, not exact sizes. A timer moves in 0.1 second steps, so each setting gives one fixed size. The apps show that size next to the timer, after ≈. Often it is close enough; when a design must be replicated accurately, use a balloon sizer.
The built-in pumps were measured with Sempertex standard colours. Other brands and finishes (Metallic, Pearl, Pastel Matte…), and even another pump of the same model, can inflate differently. That is why calibrating your own pump helps.
Stay inside what you measured. Sizes smaller or larger than your measurements are guesses from extending the curve, so measure the smallest and largest sizes you use.
How many settings? At least 4, spread across the range, give the best result. With Lagenda or Premium chosen, one or two measurements give a rough calibration of the built-in curve — quick, but it may be off at the ends of the range. With any other pump there is nothing to start from, so always measure at least 4 settings.
Questions about pump timers
Why calibrate a pump at all?
A timer setting is a number of seconds of air, not a size. How big the balloon gets depends on the pump, the nozzle and the balloons themselves. The timers built into BalloonBuilder were measured with specific pumps and Sempertex standard colours, so on your setup the same setting can give a different size. Calibrating replaces those numbers with your own.
How many timer settings do I need to measure?
Four or more, spread from the smallest to the largest size you build with, give the best result. If you chose Lagenda or Premium as the starting point, one or two measurements are enough for a rough calibration, because the shape of that pump's curve is already known and only its speed changes. With any other pump there is nothing to start from, so measure at least four.
Does it work with any electric balloon inflator?
Yes, as long as it has a timer. Choose “Another pump” as the starting point and measure at least four settings per balloon type. The calculator fits the curve from your measurements alone.
How do I measure a balloon correctly?
Use a balloon sizer or a tape measure: the diameter at the widest point for round balloons, and the long axis from end to end for Link-O-Loons. Inflate two or three balloons at each timer setting and enter the average. Use the brand and finish you really build with.
Are the sizes in the apps then exact?
They are close, not exact. A timer moves in steps of 0.1 seconds, so each setting gives one fixed size, and the apps show that size after the ≈ sign. Sizes outside the range you measured are guesses from extending the curve. When a design has to be replicated accurately, still check with a sizer.
Where does the code go?
Open BalloonBuilder Columns or Walls, choose ⚙ Calibrate your own pump… from the pump list, paste the code and press Save and use. The pump is then used by both apps in that browser, and every timer shown in your designs is for your pump.
Is anything sent anywhere?
No. The page needs no account, and your measurements and the finished code are kept in your own browser. Clearing the browser's site data removes them, so copy the code into the apps once you have it.