Crosswind Component Calculator

Calculate headwind, tailwind, and crosswind components from wind direction, speed, and runway heading. Essential for go/no-go decisions.

Runway Heading

Wind Direction (from)

Wind Speed

Calm: 0–5 kt, Light: 5–10 kt, Moderate: 10–20 kt

Tab to move between fields

Crosswind Component

10 kt

Headwind / Tailwind

11 kt

Crosswind FromRight

Wind Angle to Runway40°

Gust Crosswind0 kt

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the runway heading (runway number × 10, e.g., Runway 27 = 270°).
Enter the reported wind direction and speed from ATIS or METAR.
Optionally enter gust speed if reported.
Compare the crosswind result against your aircraft's POH demonstrated crosswind limit.

How the result changes with Wind Direction (from)

Runway Heading: Runway magnetic heading (runway number × 10). E.g., Runway 27 = 270°.
Wind Direction (from): Direction the wind is blowing FROM in magnetic degrees. Get from ATIS or METAR (surface winds are magnetic).
Wind Speed: Sustained wind speed in knots.
Gust Speed: Peak gust speed if reported (e.g., '15G25' means gusts to 25 kt). Leave 0 if no gusts.

Crosswind Component: Compare against your aircraft's demonstrated crosswind component in the POH.
Crosswind From: Which side of the runway the crosswind is coming from.
Headwind / Tailwind: Positive = headwind, negative = tailwind. Tailwinds increase landing/takeoff distance.
Gust Crosswind: Crosswind component at peak gust speed.

Wind Angle Relative to Runway
Angle = Wind Direction − Runway Heading
310° − 270° = 40°
Headwind / Tailwind Component
Headwind = Wind Speed × cos(Angle)
15 × cos(40°) = 11 kt headwind
Crosswind Component
Crosswind = Wind Speed × sin(Angle)
15 × sin(40°) = 10 kt from the right