For organic balloon decor you need four sizes, and each does one job: 12" (30cm) is the body of every garland, 5" (12cm) minis fill the gaps, 18" (45cm) gives shape and depth, and 36" (90cm) giants are the statement piece. 24" (60cm) sits between for big arches, and 260 modelling balloons add curls and movement. Buying one size and hoping is the most common mistake we see from new stylists — below is what each size is for, how far to inflate it, what it costs in helium, and how to put a kit together from the first order.
What balloon sizes are there, and what do the inches mean?
Latex balloon sizes are quoted in inches of diameter at full inflation. The number on the bag is the maximum; in organic work you almost always inflate under it. Here's the whole Stylex range in one table.
| Size | Metric | Inflate to (garland) | Pack | Job | Helium per balloon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5" | 12cm | about 4" | 100 (chromes 50) | Filler, texture, second colour | Air only |
| 10" | 25cm | about 9" | 100 | Tight garlands, centrepieces | about 0.3 cu ft |
| 12" | 30cm | 10–11" | 100 (chromes 50) | Body of the garland, bouquets | about 0.5 cu ft |
| 18" | 45cm | about 16" | 25 or 50 | Shape, depth, bouquet feature | about 0.4 cu ft (11 L) |
| 24" | 60cm | about 22" | 2 | Arch shoulders, large installs | about 1 cu ft (28 L) |
| 36" | 90cm | 30–32" | 2 or 10 | Statement, end of garland, weighted single | about 15 cu ft (425 L) |
| 260 | 5cm × 150cm | 20–30cm for curls | 100 | Curls, tendrils, twisting | Air only |
Why does an organic garland need more than one size?
Because one size lines up. A garland of only 12s looks like a string of beads: same width all the way along, with gaps where the balloons meet. Adding 18s breaks the rhythm so the eye stops reading a pattern; adding 5s fills the gaps so the garland reads as one solid shape; adding a 36" gives the whole thing somewhere to land. That's why the per-metre counts in the counts guide are always four numbers, not one.
The colour has to hold across those sizes or the trick fails. That's the reason Stylex makes every colour in every size — a Blush 5" next to a Blush 36" is the same Blush. Mixing brands to get the sizes you need is where the shade shifts come from.
Which size for a helium bouquet or ceiling install?
12" is the standard bouquet balloon and floats roughly 12–18 hours untreated — treat it with a float product for an event that runs longer. 18" looks richer and floats longer for the same reason the latex is thicker; it's the pick when a bouquet needs presence or the ceiling is high. 36" on a weighted ribbon is a centrepiece on its own, but budget the helium: one 36" takes about 30 times the gas of a 12". 5" and 260s don't float usefully — air-fill and attach.
How far should I inflate each size?
Under the number on the bag, every time. A 12" inflated to 10–11" is rounder, easier to tie and more forgiving to handle; pushed to a full 12" it's pear-shaped and the colour lightens. The same applies to a 36": 30–32" gives a round balloon with good colour, a full 36" thins the latex and goes paler. A sizer (a square of cardboard with a circle cut out, or the ring on an electric inflator) keeps a garland consistent — and a deliberately mixed set of 10", 10½" and 11" within the 12s is what makes it look organic rather than machine-made.
Small, mini, giant, jumbo — which is which?
- Mini or small balloons = 5" (12cm). Some suppliers also call 10" "small".
- Standard balloons = 12" (30cm), occasionally 11" from other brands.
- Large balloons = 18" (45cm).
- Giant, jumbo or 90cm balloons = 36". A 24" (60cm) is sometimes sold as "jumbo" too — check the centimetres, not the word.
- 260s = 2" wide, 60" long: the twisting balloon, also used for curls in garlands.
What's a good starter kit?
For a first wholesale order that covers most briefs, in a neutral palette you'll reuse:
- 12" × 100 in White, White Sand and Blush
- 5" × 100 in the same three colours
- 18" × 25 in White Sand and Blush
- 36" × 2 in White Sand and Blush
- Chrome Champagne 12" × 50 as the accent
- A Sample Bag so you can match the next client's colours before you buy a pack
That builds roughly three 3-metre garlands with change, and every colour in it is restockable in every size. Add Black and Chrome Bronze Gold once you start getting milestone-birthday and corporate work — they're two of our top-selling colours for a reason.
Quick answers
What size balloons are used for garlands?
Mostly 12", with 5" fillers, a few 18" for shape and one or two 36".
How big is a 36 inch balloon?
90cm across at full inflation; most stylists inflate to 30–32" (75–80cm).
How many 5 inch balloons in a pack?
100 (chromes 50).
Do 18 inch balloons float longer than 12 inch?
Yes — thicker latex and more gas. Plan on 12–18 hours untreated for any size and treat for longer events.
Shop by size: 5" · 10" · 12" · 18" · 24" · 36" · 260s. Build order and counts: how to build an organic balloon garland.
Evra is a Sydney balloon stylist and the founder of Stylex Balloons, a wholesale latex balloon range made for organic decor.