Crosswind Component Calculator
Crosswind = wind speed × sin(angle between wind and runway), so a 20 kt wind 30° off the runway gives a 10 kt crosswind and about a 17 kt headwind.
Use the same directional reference for runway and wind. For operational decisions, use approved aircraft and company crosswind limits.
For general informational use. Verify critical aviation calculations and weather with an authoritative source.
Crosswind share by wind angle
The crosswind component is the wind speed × sine of the angle between the wind and the runway. The table shows what share of the wind is crosswind at each angle.
| Angle between wind and runway | Share that is crosswind | Example: 20 kt wind |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 17% | 3 kt |
| 15° | 26% | 5 kt |
| 20° | 34% | 7 kt |
| 30° | 50% | 10 kt |
| 45° | 71% | 14 kt |
| 60° | 87% | 17 kt |
| 90° | 100% | 20 kt |
Clock-face rule: think of the angle as minutes on a clock. 15° = quarter past, so a quarter of the wind; 30° = half past, half the wind; 45° = three quarters; 60° or more = all of it. It is quick and slightly conservative.
Gusts and the demonstrated crosswind
Work out the crosswind for the gust value as well as the steady wind. A report of 27015G25KT on runway 22 gives about 11 kt of crosswind steady and about 19 kt in the gusts. Compare the gust figure with the maximum demonstrated crosswind in your flight manual. That figure is what test pilots showed, not a structural limit, but it is a sensible personal ceiling for most pilots, and many training organisations set lower limits for students.
True or magnetic?
Runways are numbered by magnetic heading. Winds in METARs and TAFs are usually given in degrees true, while winds from ATIS and the tower are magnetic. Where the local variation is small this hardly matters; where it is 10° or more, convert the METAR wind before you calculate. See True vs Magnetic Heading.
Tailwind check
A negative headwind result is a tailwind. Many flight manuals add 10% or more to the landing distance for each few knots of tailwind, and some aircraft have a published tailwind limit. If the tailwind component is more than a couple of knots, consider the opposite runway.
Calculate runway headwind, tailwind and crosswind components
A wind component calculation resolves reported wind into the part acting along the runway and the part acting across it. This helps pilots understand whether the wind is mainly a headwind, tailwind, left crosswind or right crosswind. The tool also accepts an optional gust speed so you can see the component at the gust value.
How to use it
- Enter the runway heading in degrees.
- Enter wind direction using the same true or magnetic reference as the runway value.
- Enter sustained wind speed and, optionally, gust speed in knots.
- Calculate and compare the crosswind result with the applicable aircraft and company limit.
Method and calculation
The angular difference between wind direction and runway heading is resolved with trigonometry. Headwind component = wind speed × cos(angle). Crosswind component = wind speed × sin(angle). Negative headwind means a tailwind; the sign of crosswind indicates which side the wind comes from.
Worked example and practical notes
Runway 090 with wind 130° at 20 kt gives a 40° angle. The headwind component is about 15.3 kt and the crosswind component about 12.9 kt from the right.
Accuracy and practical tips
METAR wind direction is normally referenced to true north, while painted runway numbers are based on magnetic heading. Use values with the same reference before calculating. Operational limits depend on aircraft, runway condition and company procedures.
This is a mathematical component calculation only. Use approved performance data, operational documents and current aerodrome/weather sources for flight operations.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Read the guide: Crosswind and Headwind Components Explained
Frequently asked questions
What does a negative headwind mean?
It means the along-runway component is a tailwind.
How is crosswind direction shown?
The tool reports whether the crosswind comes from the left or right based on the signed angular difference.
Can I enter gust speed?
Yes. If a gust value is entered, the tool also calculates the components at the gust speed.
Can I use this instead of aircraft limits?
No. Compare the result with approved aircraft, runway-condition and company limitations.