A gusty approach
Runway 270°, wind from 320° at 18 kt gusting 26: 13.8 kt crosswind from the right, 11.6 kt headwind, and 19.9 kt gust crosswind.
WIND & RUNWAY
Crosswind calculator
Know your wind components before you line up.
Crosswind component13.8 ktFrom the right
Runway & wind
Live calculationSpeed units
Heading references: magnetic
Written METAR wind uses true north. Select the reference stated by your source; do not infer it from a runway number.
°
Use the published runway heading°
Direction the wind is coming fromkt
Steady reported windkt
Leave blank if no gusts reportedRunway shortcut & reciprocal
Runway numbers approximate magnetic headings. The shortcut sets the runway reference to magnetic.
Your wind, resolved.
LIVE RESULTSCrosswind component
13.8kt
From the right
Headwind component11.6 kt
Gust crosswind19.9 kt
Wind angle50.0 °
Wind is 50.0° off the runway. Expect a crosswind from the right.
Compare runway headings
Current heading and reciprocal, using the same wind. Additional headings use magnetic north. This compares wind components only—not runway suitability.
| Heading | Crosswind | Gust crosswind | Along runway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 270.0° | 13.8 from right | 19.9 | 11.6 headwind |
| 90.0° | 13.8 from left | 19.9 | 11.6 tailwind |
Report a calculation issue
Describe what you expected. This creates a report you can send to the site maintainer; it does not submit anything automatically.
A LITTLE THEORY
Make sense of your result.
Resolve the wind into crosswind and headwind components for any runway heading.
How to use this calculator
Enter the runway heading and the direction the wind is coming from. Add the steady wind speed and, if available, gust speed.
The formula
Crosswind = V × sin(θ) · Headwind = V × cos(θ)θ is wind direction minus runway heading or course, normalized to −180° to 180°. V is wind speed. Results round to one decimal; calculations use full precision. Speed units are converted through knots.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE01 02
Worked examples
Across north
Runway 350°, wind from 010° at 15 kt: a 20° angle gives 5.1 kt crosswind from the right and 14.1 kt headwind.
A few common questions
Is wind direction “from” or “to”?+
Always enter the direction the wind is coming from, as reported in aviation weather.
Can I use a runway number?+
Yes. Expand Runway shortcut & reciprocal. The shortcut converts 27 to 270° magnetic. Use the published exact heading when available.
Why select a heading reference?+
A written METAR reports wind relative to true north. If your runway heading is magnetic, enter the local magnetic variation so both directions can be compared in one reference. East variation is positive; west is negative.
Does the comparison choose a runway for me?+
No. It shows wind components only. Runway length, surface, obstacles, traffic, aircraft performance and operational instructions still matter.
A planning aid. Always use your judgement.
Use the same magnetic or true reference for both directions. Runway numbers are rounded, and gust direction is assumed unchanged. This tool does not replace your aircraft operating handbook, official weather, regulations or pilot judgement.
Calculation transparency
Updated 11 September 2026. Automated checks cover the mathematical model; an independent aviation review is pending.
Reference: FAA aviation handbooks · FAA weather reporting and heading references · Models and limitations