Wind Correction Angle Calculator
The wind correction angle is how far you turn into the wind to hold your course: WCA = arcsin(wind speed ÷ TAS × sin(wind angle)), so a 20 kt direct crosswind at 120 kt TAS needs about 10°.
For general informational use. Verify critical aviation calculations and weather with an authoritative source.
Maximum drift at a glance
The wind correction angle depends on the crosswind component and your true airspeed. The table shows exact values, with the 1-in-60 shortcut (crosswind × 60 ÷ TAS) in brackets. The shortcut is very close at small angles and slightly overstates large ones.
| True airspeed | 10 kt crosswind | 20 kt crosswind | 30 kt crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 kt | 6.4° (6.7°) | 12.8° (13.3°) | 19.5° (20.0°) |
| 120 kt | 4.8° (5.0°) | 9.6° (10.0°) | 14.5° (15.0°) |
| 150 kt | 3.8° (4.0°) | 7.7° (8.0°) | 11.5° (12.0°) |
| 250 kt | 2.3° (2.4°) | 4.6° (4.8°) | 6.9° (7.2°) |
Mental shortcut in the air
- Work out the maximum drift: wind speed × 60 ÷ TAS. At 120 kt with a 30 kt wind it is 15°.
- Take the fraction for the wind angle off your track, using the clock-face rule: 15° off is a quarter, 30° is half, 45° is three quarters, 60° or more is all of it.
- A 30 kt wind 30° off the nose at 120 kt therefore needs about half of 15°, so about 7–8° into the wind.
This is the same thinking as the 1 in 60 rule, and it is a good way to sanity-check any computed heading.
Which way to turn
Always correct into the wind. A wind from the right needs a heading to the right of track (add the angle); a wind from the left needs a heading to the left (subtract it). The groundspeed result tells you how much of the wind is head or tail.
Common mistakes
- Using a METAR or forecast wind (true) with a magnetic track, or the other way round. Convert first: see True vs Magnetic Heading.
- Entering the direction the wind blows to. Winds are always reported as the direction they blow from.
- Using IAS instead of TAS at altitude, which overstates the drift.
How the wind triangle works
To fly a straight track over the ground you point the aircraft slightly into the wind. The wind correction angle (WCA) is how many degrees you turn, and the result is your true heading. The same wind changes your ground speed, which drives every time and fuel estimate on the navigation log.
How to use it
- Enter the true course from your chart.
- Enter planned true airspeed.
- Enter the forecast wind direction (true, where it is blowing from) and speed.
- Read the wind correction angle, true heading, ground speed and wind components.
Method and calculation
With the wind angle θ = wind direction − true course: crosswind = wind speed × sin θ, WCA = arcsin(crosswind ÷ TAS), and ground speed = TAS × cos(WCA) − wind speed × cos θ. A positive WCA means turn right into a wind from the right. Apply magnetic variation afterwards to get magnetic heading.
Worked example and practical notes
True course 090°, TAS 110 kt, wind 140° at 20 kt. Wind angle 50°: crosswind = 15.3 kt from the right, WCA ≈ +8°, true heading ≈ 098°, ground speed ≈ 96 kt (headwind component about 13 kt).
Accuracy and practical tips
Forecast winds aloft (FB/FD winds, or a GAFOR or chart in Europe) are given in degrees true, so keep this calculation in true and convert to magnetic at the end. If the crosswind is larger than the TAS there is no solution: the aircraft cannot hold that track.
Standard E6B wind-triangle trigonometry. Verify against your flight-planning tools and current forecasts.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Read the guide: Crosswind and Headwind Components Explained
Frequently asked questions
Is wind direction where the wind is going?
No. Aviation winds are always given as the direction the wind is blowing from.
Should I use true or magnetic directions?
Use true course and true wind together, then apply magnetic variation to the true heading.
Why is my ground speed lower even with a crosswind?
A crabbed heading means part of the airspeed is spent cancelling the crosswind, and most crosswinds also have a headwind part.
What does a negative WCA mean?
The wind is from the left, so you turn left of course.