ski binding
Professional DIN Ski Binding Calculator
Calculate the correct release force setting for your ski bindings according to the ISO 11088 standard.
What DIN setting should I use? The ISO 11088 table runs from DIN 0.75 for the lightest children to DIN 11.5. A 75 kg (165 lb) intermediate adult skier of average height, 167 to 178 cm, lands between DIN 5.5 and 7.5 on adult boot soles from 251 to 350 mm. Height counts as much as weight, because the calculation takes whichever of the two gives the lower code.
Source: ISO 11088, Alpine ski/binding/boot (S-B-B) system: Assembly, adjustment and inspection
SAFETY WARNING: This ski DIN calculator is for reference purposes only. Setting your ski bindings to the correct release setting is essential for your safety. It would be best if you always had your bindings checked and adjusted by a professional ski technician.
Planning a ski trip? Most travel policies exclude skiing unless you add winter sports cover. See what to look for and compare providers in the ski insurance guide.
DIN Setting Chart (ISO 11088)
Your result is highlighted below.
| Skier | Binding setting Z by boot sole length (mm) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Height | Code | ≤230 | 231 to 250 | 251 to 270 | 271 to 290 | 291 to 310 | 311 to 330 | 331 to 350 | ≥351 |
| 10 to 13 kg | A | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | ||||||
| 14 to 17 kg | B | 1 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | |||||
| 18 to 21 kg | C | 1.5 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1 | |||||
| 22 to 25 kg | D | 2 | 1.75 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.25 | ||||
| 26 to 30 kg | E | 2.5 | 2.25 | 2 | 1.75 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||
| 31 to 35 kg | F | 3 | 2.75 | 2.5 | 2.25 | 2 | 1.75 | 1.75 | ||
| 36 to 41 kg | G | 3.5 | 3 | 2.75 | 2.5 | 2.25 | 2 | |||
| 42 to 48 kg | ≤1.48 m | H | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.75 | 2.5 | |||
| 49 to 57 kg | 1.49 to 1.57 m | I | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | |||
| 58 to 66 kg | 1.58 to 1.66 m | J | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | ||
| 67 to 78 kg | 1.67 to 1.78 m | K | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | ||
| 79 to 94 kg | 1.79 to 1.94 m | L | 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | ||
| 95+ kg | ≥1.95 m | M | 8.5 | 8 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | |||
| N | 10 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 | |||||
| O | 11.5 | 11 | 10 | 9.5 | 9 | |||||
| beyond O | 12 | 11 | 10.5 | |||||||
Z is the number you set on the binding, usually called the DIN setting.
- Up to 13 kg no further corrections are applied.
- Up to 17 kg the skier type is not lowered on request (type minus).
Release torque by skier code
Your skier code is highlighted below.
| Code | MZ (N·m) | MY (N·m) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower tolerance limit | 5 | 18 |
| A | 8 | 29 |
| B | 11 | 40 |
| C | 14 | 52 |
| D | 17 | 64 |
| E | 20 | 75 |
| F | 23 | 87 |
| G | 27 | 102 |
| H | 31 | 120 |
| Code | MZ (N·m) | MY (N·m) |
|---|---|---|
| I | 37 | 141 |
| J | 43 | 165 |
| K | 50 | 194 |
| L | 58 | 229 |
| M | 67 | 271 |
| N | 78 | 320 |
| O | 91 | 380 |
| beyond O | 105 | 452 |
| beyond O | 121 | 520 |
| Upper tolerance limit | 137 | 588 |
MZ and MY are the torques at which the binding should release, checked in a ski shop on a binding tester. Setting the binding needs only the Z value.
Where these numbers come from
Every value in this chart is read out of the same ISO 11088 lookup table the calculator at the top of the page uses. Nothing here is a separate transcription, so the chart cannot drift away from the answer the calculator gives you.
What the standard fixes is the table itself: the weight, height and boot sole length bands, the code letters, and the release value in each cell. The mapping from the words on this page to those codes is our own reading: Beginner is entered as Type I, Intermediate as Type II, Advanced as Type III. ISO 11088 defines those types by how you ski rather than by how long you have skied, so a cautious expert belongs in Type I and a fast, hard charging intermediate belongs in Type III. If the two readings disagree, follow the skiing, not the label, and have the setting confirmed on a calibrated binding tester.
The age bands follow ISO 11088: skiers aged 9 or younger, and 50 or older, move one row up.
After setting your DIN, find the right ski length with our ski length calculator and check your boot flex to make sure it matches your ability level.
What is a DIN setting?
A DIN setting is a standardised number that determines how much force is required to release a ski binding in a fall. Higher numbers require more force to release; lower numbers release more easily. The ISO 11088 table this calculator implements runs from 0.75 to 11.5; individual bindings are sold with their own adjustment ranges printed on the toe and heel piece, and the setting you calculate has to fall inside the range of the binding you own. The name DIN comes from Deutsches Institut für Normung (the German Institute for Standardization), which developed the original specification.
The correct DIN setting balances two opposing risks. A setting that is too low causes pre-release, where the binding opens during normal skiing and can itself cause falls. A setting that is too high means the binding does not open when it should during a real fall, increasing the risk of knee ligament injuries (ACL, MCL) and leg fractures.
The ISO 11088 standard defines the calculation method used by ski shops worldwide. Your DIN value is determined by a lookup table that combines your weight, height, boot sole length, age and skier type into a single recommended release force setting.
This calculator is used by skiers of all levels to verify their binding settings before a ski trip, ski rental shops to configure bindings for customers, ski instructors setting up equipment for students, and anyone fitting new ski boots to existing bindings or upgrading to a new binding model. DIN sets how the binding releases; before that, make sure the boot sole and binding are even certified for each other with the alpine binding compatibility checker.
How DIN is calculated
The ISO 11088 method assigns each skier a code letter (A through O) based on five inputs, then maps that code to a DIN value via a lookup table:
- Weight: Produces a numeric code. The primary factor; heavier skiers need more release force.
- Height: Produces a second numeric code. The lower of weight code and height code is used as the base.
- Skier type (I / II / III): The weight/height code is the Type I (cautious) baseline. Type II (average) moves it up one code; Type III (aggressive) up two codes, for more retention.
- Age: Skiers aged 9 or younger, or 50 or older, move one row up in the table, which gives a lower setting and an added safety margin.
- Boot sole length (BSL): The final code is looked up against the BSL range to produce the DIN number. A longer sole lowers the DIN value, because the same twisting force at the boot acts on a longer lever and so reaches the release torque sooner.
ISO 11088 Standard
The DIN setting is calculated according to ISO 11088, the international standard for assembly, adjustment and inspection of an alpine ski/binding/boot (S-B-B) system. Your setting is determined by a lookup table that maps your physical characteristics to a release force.
Skier Type & Age
Your skiing style directly shifts the release force. Cautious skiers get lower DIN, aggressive skiers get higher.
- Type I (Beginner): lower speeds, cautious skiing on easy runs. Uses the base code for easier release.
- Type II (Intermediate): moderate speed on varied terrain. +1 code over the base.
- Type III (Advanced): high speed, aggressive skiing on all terrain. +2 codes for retention.
- Age: skiers aged 9 or younger, or 50 or older, move one row up in the table, which gives a lower setting. Bones and reaction times favour earlier release.
Boot Sole Length (BSL)
The boot sole length is the distance from the toe to the heel of your ski boot in millimetres. It is printed on the boot or listed in its specifications. A longer boot sole gives the same twisting force a longer lever, so the binding reaches its release torque sooner and the ISO table gives it a lower DIN.
Check the number stamped on the heel or the side of the sole of your boot. The calculator sorts it into eight bands, from 230 mm and under to 351 mm and over.
The rules in one place
- Skier type: type 1 uses the code from weight and height, type 2 one row down, type 3 two rows down.
- Age: skiers aged 9 or younger, and 50 or older, move one row up.
- Children up to 13 kg: always code A, with no correction for skier type or age.
- Type 3 for children: not recommended for children of 22 kg or less.
- Empty cell: where the table gives no value for a boot sole length, the nearest value in the same row is used.
DIN Settings for Kids: What Parents Need to Know
Children's DIN settings come out between 0.75 and 3.5 on this calculator, much lower than adults, because children's joints are still developing and bindings should release more easily to prevent injury.
- Use the calculator above and select "9 and under" for the age group (children aged 10 and older use the same setting as adults).
- Never raise a child's DIN setting to stop pre-releases. If bindings release too easily, the cause is usually technique or worn equipment, not DIN.
- Children grow quickly, so recalculate DIN each season as weight and height change.
- Rent vs buy: rental shops always adjust bindings for your child. If you own the skis, adjust at the start of each season.
- Boot sole length matters: measure with a ruler, do not guess. See our ski boot size chart for Mondopoint conversion. For the right ski size for your child, use the ski length calculator.
How to Adjust DIN Settings on Your Ski Bindings
Use a Phillips #3 screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw on both toe and heel pieces until the indicator matches your DIN number. Both pieces must show the same value.
How to adjust ski bindings: Use a Phillips #3 screwdriver. Turn the toe-piece screw until the indicator matches your DIN number (clockwise = tighter). Repeat for the heel piece (must match the toe). Test by stepping in and twisting your boot laterally (toe releases) and leaning forward forcefully (heel releases). If unsure, most ski shops adjust bindings for free. Calculate your DIN number with the calculator at the top of this page first.
Once you know your DIN setting from the calculator above, here is the full step-by-step. Tools needed: a Phillips-head screwdriver (#3) or a flat-head screwdriver depending on the binding model.
- Find the DIN adjustment screws. Most bindings have two, one on the toe piece and one on the heel piece. The DIN scale is printed next to each screw.
- Set the toe piece. Turn the screw until the indicator lines up with your DIN number. Clockwise typically increases DIN (tighter); counterclockwise decreases (looser).
- Set the heel piece. Repeat on the heel piece, setting it to the same DIN value as the toe piece. Both must match.
- Test the release. Step into the binding, then twist your boot laterally (toe should release) and lean forward forcefully (heel should release). If it releases too easily or not at all, re-check the setting.
- Get a professional check. If unsure, take your skis to a certified ski technician. Most ski shops adjust bindings for free or a small fee, and professional adjustment includes a calibrated torque test.
Always test your bindings on the first run of the day with a gentle, intentional fall to verify they release correctly. Going to the resort? Check our ski pole length calculator for the correct pole height, and use our ski boot retirement checker to confirm your boots are still safe.
DIN Charts by Binding Brand
DIN settings are identical across all brands: Marker, Salomon, Look, Tyrolia, Atomic, Rossignol and Fischer all follow the same ISO 11088 standard. The correct DIN value is determined by your weight, height, age, skier type and boot sole length, not by the manufacturer.
The calculator above works for all binding brands because it follows the universal ISO 11088 standard. Some brands label or adjust the setting slightly differently:
- Marker bindings: DIN range printed on the binding (e.g. Marker Griffon 13 = DIN 4 to 13).
- Salomon bindings: DIN adjustment screw on both toe and heel piece.
- Look bindings (including Look Pivot): same DIN scale, adjusted with a screwdriver.
- Tyrolia bindings: DIN scale on the toe piece; some models offer tool-free adjustment.
- Atomic bindings (made by Salomon / Amer Sports): identical DIN system.
- Rossignol bindings (often shared with Look): standard DIN adjustment.
- Fischer bindings: standard DIN scale.
Use the calculator at the top of this page for your exact DIN setting. It works with any brand. Planning a touring setup instead? DIN behaves differently on tech bindings, so try our ski touring calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What DIN setting should a beginner use?
Adult beginners on this calculator come out between DIN 2 to 8.5, depending on weight, height, age and boot sole length, and children come out lower. A beginner adult weighing 70 kg comes out at DIN 2 to 6.5, depending on height and boot sole length. The calculator assigns skier Type I (cautious) to beginners, which produces the lowest DIN values in the lookup table, prioritising easy release over retention.
How does body weight affect DIN setting?
Weight matters, but only until height becomes the limit. The calculation takes whichever of the weight code and the height code is lower, so a heavier skier gets a higher DIN only if they are tall enough for the weight to count. At 179 to 194 cm a 95 kg intermediate skier comes out 2.5 points above a 60 kg one of the same height and ability; at 158 to 166 cm the two get exactly the same number, because height caps both. In imperial those bands are 5 ft 10 in to 6 ft 4 in and 5 ft 2 in to 5 ft 5 in, and the skiers weigh 209 lb against 132 lb. That is why the form asks for height as well.
Why does age affect DIN setting?
Skiers aged 9 or younger, or 50 or older, move one row up in the ISO 11088 table, which gives a lower DIN setting. For younger children, bone structure is still developing and more vulnerable to fracture. For older skiers, decreased bone density means the same force causes more injury risk.
Does the age reduction start at 50 or 51?
At 50. In the table method of the ISO 11088 standard, the one this calculator uses, skiers aged 50 and over move one row up, which gives a lower setting. Many guides write "over 50" loosely, but the standard means 50 and older. Children get the same one-row reduction up to age 9.
Can a child use skier type 3?
Skier type 3 is not recommended for children of 22 kg or less. Below 14 kg no correction for skier type or age is applied at all, so the setting is the same for every type.
What is boot sole length (BSL) and where do I find it?
Boot sole length is the distance from the front to the back of the boot's sole in millimetres. It is stamped or printed on the boot near the toe piece or heel piece, and the calculator sorts it into eight bands running from 230 mm and under to 351 mm and over. A longer BSL lowers the DIN value: the same twisting force acts on a longer lever, so the binding reaches its release torque sooner.
Can I set my own DIN or do I need a ski technician?
This calculator gives you the recommended DIN value. Turning the adjustment screw is straightforward, but the actual release torque must be verified with a calibrated binding tester to ensure it matches the setting. Most ski shops test and set bindings for free or a small fee at the start of the season.
What happens if my DIN setting is too high?
If DIN is too high, the binding will not release during a fall because more force is required than the fall generates. This significantly increases the risk of knee ligament injuries (ACL and MCL tears) and tibial fractures. Setting DIN too high is the most dangerous error.
What happens if my DIN setting is too low?
If DIN is too low, the binding releases too easily during normal skiing. This is called a pre-release. Pre-releases happen on hard turns, bumps, or at higher speeds, causing sudden ski loss and falls. Unexpected pre-release at speed can itself cause serious injury.
What DIN setting should I use for intermediate skiing?
DIN 2.5 to 8.5 for intermediate adult skiers in the 67 to 94 kg bands, with height and boot sole length deciding where in that span you land. The exact value depends on weight, height, age and boot sole length. Use the calculator above with skier type Intermediate selected to get a precise value based on ISO 11088.
Are DIN settings the same for all binding brands?
Yes. DIN follows ISO 11088 and is identical for Marker, Salomon, Look, Tyrolia, Atomic, Rossignol and Fischer, so a setting of 6 on Marker bindings is the same release force as 6 on Salomon, Look or Tyrolia. The physical adjustment mechanism differs between models, which is why a binding tester should confirm the actual release torque after any adjustment.
What is a DIN chart?
A DIN chart, also called a DIN setting table, shows recommended DIN values based on skier weight, height and ability level. It is a simplified version of the full ISO 11088 calculation. See the DIN setting chart section below for a quick reference table, or use the calculator above for an exact result that also factors in age and boot sole length.
What does Z mean in the chart?
Z is the indicator value from ISO 11088: the number on the binding's scale that you turn the adjustment screw to. Most skiers call it the DIN setting. It has no unit; the release torques in newton metres are what a ski shop measures on a tester.
How do I adjust DIN on Marker bindings?
Marker bindings use a standard Phillips head screwdriver for DIN adjustment. Turn the screw on both the toe piece and heel piece to match your calculated DIN number. The DIN scale is printed on the binding next to each screw. The process is identical for Marker Griffon, Squire, Jester and other Marker models. After adjustment, have a certified ski technician verify the actual release torque with a binding tester.
What should my child's DIN setting be?
DIN 0.75 to 3.5 across the child weight bands on this calculator, with the age correction for 9 and under applied. Use the calculator above with the 9 and under age group selected for children aged 9 or younger. Never increase a child's DIN to prevent pre-releases. If the binding releases too easily during skiing, consult a ski technician rather than raising the DIN yourself.
Last updated: October 2026. Based on the ISO 11088 standard.