Crosswind Calculator
Calculate crosswind and headwind or tailwind components.
What this tool calculates
Calculate crosswind and headwind or tailwind components. The main inputs on this page are Runway heading (degrees), Wind direction (degrees), Wind speed (kt). The result is intended to be readable immediately, with the explanation below available when you need to verify the method.
Method and calculation basis
The wind is resolved into components relative to the runway heading. Crosswind component = wind speed × sin(angle difference); headwind/tailwind component = wind speed × cos(angle difference).
Worked examples
30° off the runway at 20 kt
Crosswind ≈ 20 × sin(30°) = 10 kt; headwind ≈ 17.3 kt.
90° crosswind
At 90°, essentially all of the wind speed is crosswind component.
Understanding the result
The output should be read in the units shown beside the result. If you are comparing alternatives, keep all unchanged assumptions identical and alter one input at a time. That makes it easier to see which value is responsible for the difference.
Assumptions, edge cases and accuracy
Planning/training aid only. Do not use a generic web result as the sole basis for flight operations. Use the aircraft POH/AFM, approved performance data, current weather, charts, NOTAMs and applicable operational rules.
Sources and methodology
- UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) — Flight planning, safety and operational guidance
- Aircraft POH/AFM — Aircraft-specific limitations and approved performance data
Method reviewed for Instant Solvers V10.0 · October 2026. If you find a calculation or explanation that needs correcting, use the site Contact page and include the tool URL and the values you entered.