How Much Weight Can a Trampoline Hold?

A common backyard trampoline can hold anywhere from 50-800+ pounds. Below is a guide to understanding common trampoline weight limits and what they mean for safety and proper operation.

Perhaps the most important question a trampoline owner (or renter) can ask is, “What is the weight capacity of my trampoline?”

And the best trampoline salespeople should offer this answer freely to you upon purchase. We believe being informed of this information should almost be part of the warranty itself, as trampoline safety is of the utmost importance to prevent injury. You can also prevent injury by wearing the right clothes, but that's another story.

This definitely applies if you’re shopping online, as the trampoline weight capacity is harder to discover if the information is buried. Stores such as Amazon tend to do a decent job of exposing product details such as height and weight of the trampoline frame, as well as the overall maximum weight rating for individuals using it. If information is sparse, try combing through the buyer reviews for additional info.

Before we get going though, do you know that age old adage where one should never ask a woman their weight?

Well, trampoline safety is one of the very, very few times where that doesn't apply. Our advice is to be kind, courteous, and, well, to just avoid the scenario by limiting the total number of jumpers on the trampoline in the first place.

How do you determine a Trampoline’s Weight Limit?

For clarity, the product’s weight is determined by the materials that go into its construction. This includes the trampoline frame, (polypropylene) jumping mat, and enclosure net, as well as any accessories that you’re adding to your fun. Trampoline size accounts for the other half of the overall product weight equation, as toddler and child trampolines weigh far less than the heavy duty steel frame trampoline brands that are built for adults.

Why do you need to know the Weight Capacity Rating?

It is important to fully understand the weight capacity rating to prevent injury and/or potential death. Despite heavy duty construction methods and strong steel frames on a lot of quality models, overloading a trampoline’s user weight limit can cause it to suddenly collapse, resulting in many people falling to the ground in ways that they are not prepared for, instantly.

The springs of toddler trampoline mats, kids trampolines and even high weight limit, adult trampolines can be stretched only so far under pressure before breaking down. Yes, they are built for extreme durability, and yes, they are tested by manufacturers, but company engineers can’t be over at your house watching your backyard trampoline at all hours of the day.

That’s why it’s imperative that you read all of the product labeling, even for rebounders. Know the number of the weight capacity and constantly consider the total weight of everyone on the jumping pad.

Just because the elasticity of heavy duty 12 ft trampolines and 15 ft trampoline springs is impressive, doesn’t mean that you should abandon proper operation of your backyard sports equipment.

When do you need to know the Weight Limit of a Trampoline?

Always. You always need to know the weight limit.

But, from one jumper to another, the absolute most important time to know is when you purchase a new trampoline, especially one with a higher weight limit. People have a tendency to throw caution to the wind with a new product, and trampolines are no different.

Jumpers, and perhaps more importantly, owners, will overlook max weight limits and common safety tips when they come home with a new trampoline because they, and everyone else in the neighborhood, are extremely excited to start using it. Then before you know it, you have 7-8 kids doing aerial gymnastics and neighborhood dads trying to dunk on the included basketball hoop - or worse, on the basketball hoop by the garage when they move the trampoline onto the paved driveway.

If we can recommend anything, well, beyond adhering to the best safety tips and operation, it’s to never, ever put a trampoline on pavement, concrete, bricks, or any other hard material that covers the ground. Not only is it not safe to do so, the heavy weight of the structure and frame of the trampoline isn’t built for it.

We know it’s not much, but in the event that an accident occurs, either by the frame collapsing or a person bouncing outside of the enclosure net - two things that should generally not happen during proper operation - grass and dirt offer more give than brick or pavement upon impact.

Common Weight Limits of Popular Trampoline Brands

Round trampolines, rectangular trampolines, and oval trampolines alike offer similar weight limits. In short, what we’re trying to tell you is that size and the quality of the construction materials are the things most responsible for determining the weight capacity of the trampoline you purchased.

Common Trampoline Sizes

• Toddler - 3-6 foot trampolines
• Kids - 6-10 foot trampolines
• Teenagers - 10-14 foot trampolines
• Adults - 12-20 foot trampolines

Regardless of size and capacity, be pragmatic. For example, even if you’ve lost the product tag or card that lists the weight limit and it’s been worn, from usage over time, off of the trampoline itself, use common sense to determine how many people should bounce at any one time. Like, adults shouldn’t just jump on a mini trampoline meant for kids because they think it’s funny. You can get hurt too, you know.

Speaking of, bounce houses have limits too.

Notice that weight capacity increases with size in the trampolines listed above.

Wrapping up

Trampolines are a blast, but only if used properly. One thing we do recommend you check out is whether or not the trampoline your interested in buying is ASTM approved. For those curious, ASTM is a safety standard.

Whether it’s a Springfree Trampoline or Skywalker Trampoline, or, little toddler trampoline, it’s always, always, always important to know the weight capacity and to abide by it. Your non-injured self will thank us later.