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Calculator

Crosswind Calculator

Enter the wind direction (from ATIS or METAR), wind speed, and the runway heading you're departing or landing on. Get the exact crosswind and headwind/tailwind component in seconds — no trigonometry required. Essential for student pilots and checkride prep.

From ATIS/METAR (0–360°)
Runway × 10 (rwy 27 = 270°)

How the Crosswind Calculator works

Three simple steps. No signup. No installation.

1

Enter wind direction & speed

Wind direction in degrees and speed in knots from your ATIS/METAR report.

2

Enter runway heading

The runway heading in degrees (runway 27 = 270°, runway 09 = 090°).

3

Get crosswind & headwind

See the crosswind component and headwind (positive) or tailwind (negative) instantly.

Why crosswind calculation matters in aviation

Crosswind landings are one of the most skill-intensive maneuvers in general aviation, and exceeding crosswind limits is a leading cause of runway excursions. The crosswind component formula resolves the wind vector into two components relative to the runway: one parallel (headwind/tailwind) and one perpendicular (crosswind). Each aircraft has a "demonstrated crosswind" value in the POH — for the Cessna 172, it's 15 knots; for a Boeing 737, up to 35 knots. ATIS and METAR reports give wind in degrees magnetic and speed in knots, so this calculator accepts those inputs directly. Always verify conditions at the actual airport — ground-level winds can differ significantly from reported winds.

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