Crosswind Calculator
Resolve a reported wind into its headwind and crosswind components for a given runway.
Not for flight planning.
This tool does trigonometry on a steady wind and nothing more. The result excludes gusts, runway surface and contamination, runway length and slope, density altitude, turbulence, wind shear, control authority, and your own currency. Whether a given component is acceptable is answered by your aircraft's POH/AFM and any operator limitations, not by this page. Note also that a published maximum demonstrated crosswind component is a certification test result, not necessarily a regulatory operating limit. Get a full official briefing before any flight.
Enter both directions relative to true north. METAR winds use true north; runway numbers approximate magnetic headings. Use the airport's published true runway bearing, or convert magnetic bearings using local variation before entering them. Tower and ATIS winds are magnetic and also need conversion. For example, 270° magnetic with 15° east variation is 285° true.
Use the published true bearing, not the runway number.
Direction wind is FROM, relative to true north
A meaningful crosswind component. Compare it against your aircraft's published figures.
Typical Crosswind Limits
Cessna 152/172 demonstrated: 12-15 kt. Student training typically limited to 5-10 kt.
Piper PA-28, Cessna 182. Most light singles have demonstrated crosswind of 15-17 kt.
Baron, King Air. Higher wing loading and more powerful controls increase limits.
CRJ, ERJ series. Limits vary by runway condition (dry vs wet vs contaminated).
Boeing 737, Airbus A320. Dry runway limits; reduced for wet/contaminated conditions.
The figures above are rough illustrations only. Refer to your aircraft's POH/AFM for its published maximum demonstrated crosswind component, and to your operator for any stricter limit.
Understanding Crosswind Components
What is Crosswind?
Crosswind is the component of wind that blows perpendicular to the runway. It pushes the aircraft sideways and requires correction during takeoff and landing to maintain runway centerline.
The Math Behind It
Crosswind = Wind Speed × sin(angle). Headwind = Wind Speed × cos(angle). The angle is the difference between wind direction and runway heading. At 90°, all wind is crosswind; at 0°, all wind is headwind.
Runway Selection
When possible, choose the runway that gives you the most headwind and least crosswind. A headwind is beneficial as it reduces ground speed and shortens takeoff/landing distance.
How are Wind Components Calculated?
Wind components are calculated using basic trigonometry based on the angle between the wind direction and runway heading.
Angle = Wind Direction - Runway Heading
Headwind = Wind Speed × cos(Angle)
Crosswind = Wind Speed × sin(Angle)
A positive headwind value indicates wind from ahead (beneficial); negative indicates a tailwind (caution required). The crosswind component shows how much force is pushing the aircraft sideways, with direction (left or right) indicated.
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