Most commercial bungee sites accept solo jumpers between about 35-45 kg (77-99 lb) and 115-150 kg (254-331 lb), and the minimum age is usually somewhere from 10 to 14. Those ranges hide real differences: the maximum at the Nevis in New Zealand is 127 kg, while the Kawarau Bridge, run by the same company and also near Queenstown, takes jumpers up to 150 kg. The table below sets out the published limits of well-known operators, checked against their own websites on October 26, 2026. Limits change, so confirm with the site before you book.
Bungee weight limits by operator
| Operator and jump | Min weight | Max weight (solo) | Tandem | Min age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Hackett, Kawarau Bridge (Queenstown, NZ) | 35 kg / 77 lb | 150 kg / 331 lb | 235 kg combined | 10 [1] |
| AJ Hackett, Nevis Bungy (Queenstown, NZ) | 45 kg / 99 lb | 127 kg / 280 lb | Not listed | 13 [1][2] |
| AJ Hackett, Ledge Bungy (Queenstown, NZ) | 35 kg / 77 lb | 127 kg / 280 lb | Not listed | 10 [1] |
| AJ Hackett, Taupō Bungy (NZ) | 35 kg / 77 lb | 140 kg / 309 lb | 180 kg combined | 10 [1] |
| AJ Hackett, Auckland Harbour Bridge (NZ) | 35 kg / 77 lb | 150 kg / 331 lb | 150 kg, max 30 kg difference | 10 [1] |
| Bloukrans Bridge (South Africa) | 35 kg / 77 lb | 150 kg / 331 lb | Not listed | 14 [3] |
| Skypark Macau Tower (Macau) | 40 kg / 88 lb | 140 kg / 309 lb, incl. ~2 kg harness | 80-140 kg combined | Not stated; under 18 needs guardian [4] |
| Shearwater, Victoria Falls Bridge (Zambia/Zimbabwe) | 40 kg / 88 lb | 120 kg / 265 lb | Not listed | 14 [5] |
| UK Bungee Club (various UK sites) | 35 kg / 77 lb | 120 kg / 265 lb | 217 kg combined | 14 [6][7] |
| Bungee America, Bridge to Nowhere (California) | 90 lb / 41 kg | 265 lb / 120 kg; more by arrangement | Not listed | 12 [8] |
| Trekking Team, 007 Verzasca Dam (Switzerland) | 45 kg / 99 lb | 115 kg / 254 lb | Not listed | None; weight rule applies [9] |
Pound figures are conversions, rounded; operators enforce the kilogram number (Bungee America works in pounds). "Not listed" means the operator's page did not give a tandem bungee limit when checked.
Why operators set weight limits
A bungee cord is a spring. The heavier the jumper, the further it stretches before it stops them, so the cord has to be matched to the jumper's weight and to the clear drop below. Too little cord for a light person gives a short, harsh ride; too much for a heavy person can use up the clearance. The most notorious example of the second problem is the 1997 death of aerialist Laura Patterson at the Louisiana Superdome, where a preliminary police finding blamed too much cord being let out [10]. Our guide to bungee accidents and the death rate covers that case and others.
That is why the upper limit differs between jumps run by the same company. A 134 m drop like the Nevis [2] leaves different margins from the 43 m Kawarau Bridge [11], and each site's cords and rigging are rated for a particular range. The harness sets limits too. Skypark Macau says every participant must fit its harnesses, and its published weight band already includes about 2 kg of harness [4]. UK Bungee Club states its waist harnesses fit waists from 40 cm to 125 cm (15.7 to 49.2 in) [6].
The minimum weight matters for the same reason in reverse. A cord rated for adults may not stretch enough under a very light child to give a safe deceleration, which is why the 007 jump at the Verzasca Dam has no minimum age at all but will not take anyone under 45 kg [9].
You will be weighed on the day
Do not guess or round down when you book. Sites weigh you at check-in, before the harness goes on; the Verzasca operator lists it as part of the standard procedure after registration and payment [9]. The number is used to set up your jump, and a jumper over the published limit will be turned away, so check before you pay for travel.
If you are over the bungee weight limit
- Pick a site with a higher limit. Kawarau Bridge, Auckland Harbour Bridge and Bloukrans all take solo jumpers up to 150 kg [1][3]. Taupō and Macau go to 140 kg [1][4].
- Ask about special arrangements. Bungee America accepts jumpers over 265 lb by arrangement for a $30 fee [8].
- Consider a swing. Swings often allow more weight than the bungee at the same site: the Nevis Swing takes up to 160 kg solo against 127 kg for the Nevis Bungy [1],. Our comparison of bungee and canyon swings explains how the two feel different.
Tandem weight limits
Tandem limits apply to the combined weight of both jumpers, and many operators also cap the difference between them so the pair falls evenly. AJ Hackett allows 235 kg combined at Kawarau and 180 kg at Taupō; at Auckland Harbour Bridge the two jumpers can differ by no more than 30 kg [1]. UK Bungee Club's combined maximum is 217 kg [6]. Skypark Macau's tandem band is 80-140 kg combined, with each person at least 40 kg [4]. More on how tandem jumps work is in solo vs tandem bungee jumps.
How old do you have to be to bungee jump?
The minimum age depends on the operator and the jump, and is usually 10 to 14. AJ Hackett takes 10-year-olds at Kawarau Bridge, the Ledge, Taupō and Auckland, but sets 13 for the higher Nevis; anyone under 15 needs adult consent [1]. Bloukrans, Shearwater at Victoria Falls and UK Bungee Club all start at 14 [3][5][7], and Bungee America at 12 [8]. UK Bungee Club requires a parent or guardian to be present on the day for 14 to 17-year-olds [7]. Skypark Macau requires a parent or legal guardian to come to the ticket counter and sign the waiver for anyone under 18 [4].
At the Verzasca Dam there is no minimum age; the 45 kg minimum weight does the job instead, and under-18s need a signed declaration of consent from a parent [9]. In practice, the minimum weight is the limit that stops most young children everywhere.
Is there an upper age limit?
Usually not. UK Bungee Club says there is no upper age limit, although it asks jumpers over 50 to sign a non-standard waiver and advises them to talk to a healthcare professional first [7]. Bungee America also has no maximum age, but points out that reaching its bridge involves a rugged hike of about 10 miles (16 km) round trip [8]. The 007 jump in Switzerland asks jumpers over 65 to bring a medical statement that they are fit to jump [9].
The oldest bungee jumper recognised by Guinness World Records is Mohr Keet of South Africa, who jumped at Bloukrans Bridge on April 10, 2010, at the age of 96 [12].
Medical conditions that rule you out
Health rules matter as much as weight and age. Wording varies, but operators' lists overlap heavily. All five flag pregnancy, and most ask about heart, blood pressure, spine and eye problems.
| Operator | Will not take | Must tell staff or bring a doctor's note |
|---|---|---|
| AJ Hackett (NZ) | Pregnancy; photosensitive epilepsy | Doctor's certificate for osteoporosis, scoliosis or recent concussion. Tell the crew about high or low blood pressure, heart conditions, epilepsy, high myopia, past fractures or dislocations, fragile skin, neurological disorders, diabetes, asthma, prosthetics, panic or anxiety attacks, recent sprains [13] |
| 007 Bungy, Verzasca (Switzerland) | Pregnancy, high blood pressure, heart disorders, epilepsy, musculoskeletal damage, neurological disorders, recent eye surgery, ocular hypertension, ear problems that affect balance | Ask staff if you take medication or are unsure; medical statement over 65 [9] |
| UK Bungee Club | Pregnancy; anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs | High blood pressure, heart conditions, dizziness, epilepsy, neck, back, spine, leg or eye damage, asthma: get medical advice and sign a non-standard waiver [7] |
| Shearwater, Victoria Falls | Lists high blood pressure, previous eye injury or surgery, contact lenses, osteoporosis, dislocations, pregnancy, epilepsy, heart conditions, vertigo and previous back, neck, shoulder or knee injuries as health and safety concerns [5] | |
| Skypark Macau | Asks you to declare physical disabilities, high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes, pregnancy, epilepsy, previous dislocations, prosthetics, neurological conditions, recent sprains, fragile skin, asthma, deafness, recent surgery [4] | |
The eye and spine items are there for a reason: the sudden rise in pressure at the bottom of the fall can cause small bleeds in the eye, and there are case reports of neck and back injuries. The research is summarised in the injuries section of our bungee safety guide. If you have any condition on these lists, talk to your doctor and to the operator before you travel, not on the platform.
Pregnancy
No mainstream operator will let you jump while pregnant. AJ Hackett, UK Bungee Club and the Verzasca operator state it outright [13][7][9], and Shearwater and Skypark Macau list pregnancy among the conditions they screen for [5][4]. There is no exception for a short or low jump.
Do you need to be fit?
Not especially. Bloukrans says there are no fitness requirements, only medical ones [3], and Shearwater describes its bridge jump as suitable for all fitness levels [5]. AJ Hackett's advice is simpler: be well rested, hydrated and fed before you jump [13]. The exception is access. At Bungee America the jump comes after a hike of about two hours each way [8], which is the fitness test, not the bungee itself.
If you wear glasses, AJ Hackett may not let you wear your own, but offers prescription safety glasses free of charge [13]. The Verzasca site lets you jump in glasses if you bring a strap or goggles that attach to the harness [9]. Our guide to what to expect on jump day covers clothing and check-in.
FAQ
What is the weight limit for bungee jumping?
Most commercial sites set the solo maximum between 115 kg (254 lb) and 150 kg (331 lb), and the minimum between 35 kg (77 lb) and 45 kg (99 lb). Kawarau Bridge and Bloukrans go up to 150 kg; the Nevis and the Victoria Falls Bridge stop at 127 kg and 120 kg [1][3][5].
Can you bungee jump if you weigh 300 lb?
300 lb is about 136 kg. That is within the published limits at Kawarau Bridge, Auckland Harbour Bridge and Bloukrans (150 kg), and at Taupō and Skypark Macau (140 kg) [1][3][4]. It is over the limit at the Nevis, Victoria Falls, UK Bungee Club and the Verzasca Dam.
What is the minimum weight for bungee jumping?
Usually 35 to 45 kg (77 to 99 lb). The 007 jump at the Verzasca Dam uses 45 kg as its only real limit for children, as it has no minimum age [9].
How old do you have to be to bungee jump?
Between 10 and 14 at most major sites: 10 at AJ Hackett's Kawarau Bridge, 12 at Bungee America, 13 at the Nevis, and 14 at Bloukrans, Victoria Falls and UK Bungee Club [1][8][3][5][7]. Under-18s generally need a parent or guardian's consent.
Is there an age limit for bungee jumping if you are older?
Generally there is no maximum age. Some operators ask older jumpers for extra paperwork: UK Bungee Club asks over-50s to sign a non-standard waiver, and the Verzasca Dam asks over-65s for a medical statement [7][9]. The oldest recorded jumper was 96 [12].
Do they weigh you before a bungee jump?
Yes. Reputable sites weigh every jumper at check-in so the cord can be matched to their weight [9].
Can a 10-year-old bungee jump?
At some sites. AJ Hackett allows 10-year-olds at Kawarau Bridge, the Ledge, Taupō and Auckland with adult consent [1]; most other operators in this guide start at 12 or 14.
Can you bungee jump while pregnant?
No. Operators exclude pregnancy at every stage [13][7][9].
Sources
- AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand: FAQs (age requirements, height and weight requirements for every activity)
- AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand: Nevis Bungy (age, weight, medical)
- Bloukrans Bungy (Face Adrenalin): Bungy, Bloukrans Bridge (minimum age, weight range)
- Skypark Macau Tower: Bungy (weight requirements, minors, medical information)
- Shearwater Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls Bridge bungee, swing and slide (age, weight, health)
- UK Bungee Club: Weight limits FAQ
- UK Bungee Club: Health and age restrictions FAQ
- Bungee America: FAQs (weight and age limits, prices)
- Trekking Team AG: 007 Classic Jump, Verzasca Dam (weight, age, health requirements)
- UPI (Jan 26, 1997): Human error cited in bungee death
- AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand: Kawarau Bridge Bungy (43 m / 141 ft)
- Guinness World Records: Oldest bungee jumper
- AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand: Safety (medical considerations)
Image credits
- Photo: Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Photo: sussexbirder / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)