Is there an Average sized parachute used for skydiving?

Answer 1

Ram-air parachutes, their size measured in square feet, come in a wide variety of sizes depending on intended use. In general, the larger the canopy, the slower and more forgiving the performance. Students usually use parachutes from 200 to 280 square feet while experienced skydivers often fly canopies less than 100 square feet.

Also, the heavier the suspended weight, the faster the canopy. A 170 lb. man flying a 170 square foot canopy will get more performance out of his canopy than a 110 lb. woman flying the exact canopy. That's also why a 330 square foot tandem canopy is considered high performance, since two people weighing up to 500 lbs hang below it.