A perpendicular wind
Runway 180°, wind 270° at 20 kt: the full 20.0 kt is crosswind from the right.
WIND & RUNWAY
Crosswind component calculator
Calculate lateral wind, then use the interactive angle chart to see how the component changes.
Crosswind component13.8 ktFrom the right
Runway & wind
Live calculationSpeed units
Choose an actual runway
Type a country or airport code. An exact code selects its airport; a runway code such as FAOR 03L also fills the heading.
Runway designators give approximate magnetic headings in 10° steps. Check current official charts.
Runway data and heading reference
A selected runway uses its published designator as an approximate magnetic heading in 10° steps: runway 06 gives 060°, runway 24 gives 240°. No variation is added. OurAirports snapshot loading. Check current official airport information and NOTAMs before flight. Runway data ↗
°
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 in 10° steps.
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 |
Explore the crosswind curve
Learning labHold the wind speed constant and change the angle. At 30°, half the wind acts across the runway; at 90°, all of it does.
9.0 kt crosswind · 15.6 kt headwind
Uses your current steady wind speed of 18.0 kt. This explores 0–90° only; the main calculator also handles winds from behind.
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.
Study the crosswind component as an angle changes, while keeping your runway and steady wind speed fixed in the interactive chart.
How to use this calculator
Choose an airport runway or enter its heading and wind data, then use the learning-lab slider to explore angles from 0° to 90°. The chart uses your steady wind speed and does not change your runway inputs.
The formula
Crosswind = V × sin(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
A shallow angle
Runway 090°, wind 060° at 12 kt: 6.0 kt crosswind from the left.
A few common questions
When is crosswind greatest?+
At 90° to the runway, the crosswind equals the full wind speed. The interactive curve shows this progression.
Does the learning-lab slider change my result?+
No. It explores a hypothetical angle using your steady wind speed. The main result and runway comparison keep your entered headings.
Is this an aircraft crosswind limit?+
No. Compare with the aircraft handbook, operating rules and your personal limits.
A planning aid. Always use your judgement.
This is a geometric component, not a determination that a landing or takeoff is safe. Gusts are calculated separately. This tool does not replace your aircraft operating handbook, official weather, regulations or pilot judgement.