Crosswind Calculator
e.g., 15 knots
0°–90°
kts or mph
Enter wind speed and angle to calculate crosswind…
Crosswind = Wind Speed × sin(Angle). Headwind = Wind Speed × cos(Angle). Critical for aircraft takeoff/landing.
Crosswind Calculator
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Crosswind Calculator
Nervous about crosswinds on landing? A Crosswind Calculator is your must-have tool to compute crosswind and headwind components instantly, ensuring you stay within aircraft limits and land like a pro. In with eVTOLs, drone deliveries, and AI autopilots pushing small-aircraft ops into gustier conditions, pilots, flight instructors, and drone operators rely on precise calculations.
How Does a Crosswind Calculator Work?
Uses trigonometry to split runway wind into crosswind (perpendicular) and headwind (parallel).
Core Formulas:
- Crosswind = Wind Speed × sin(Wind Angle relative to runway)
- Headwind = Wind Speed × cos(Wind Angle)
Steps:
- Input wind speed (e.g., 20 kt)
- Input wind direction (e.g., 250°)
- Input runway heading (e.g., 180°)
- Output:
- Crosswind: 17 kt (right)
- Headwind: 10 kt
- Diagram (3D vector)
- Aircraft limit check
Example:
- Wind: 20 kt from 250°
- Runway: 180°
- Angle: 70°
- Crosswind = 20 × sin(70°) = 18.8 kt
- Headwind = 20 × cos(70°) = 6.8 kt
Crosswind Limits by Aircraft
| Aircraft | Max Demonstrated Crosswind |
|---|---|
| Cessna 172 | 15 kt |
| Cirrus SR22 | 20 kt |
| Boeing 737 | 35 kt |
| DJI Mavic 3 | 20 kt |
| Piper Cub | 12 kt |
Rule: Never exceed demonstrated limit—add gust factor (e.g., 25 kt gust = 25 kt base).
Crosswind Calculator Examples
Example 1: Cessna 172 (Runway 27)
| Wind | 20 kt from 230° | | Runway | 270° | | Angle | 40° |
Crosswind = 20 × sin(40°) = 12.9 kt → Safe Headwind = 20 × cos(40°) = 15.3 kt
Example 2: Drone Delivery (Runway 09)
| Wind | 18 kt from 030° | | Runway | 090° | | Angle | 60° |
Crosswind = 18 × sin(60°) = 15.6 kt → Within 20 kt limit
Example 3: Gusty Day (25 kt gusts)
| Base Wind | 15 kt from 300° | | Gust | 25 kt | | Runway | 360° |
Crosswind (Gust) = 25 × sin(60°) = 21.7 kt → Go-around
Use the Crosswind Calculator on Gcalculate.com → Input 20 kt from 250°, Runway 18 → Get 17 kt crosswind, 3D diagram, go/no-go
Try it now → Gcalculate.com/crosswind-calculator
FAQs
How Does a Crosswind Calculator Work?
Enter wind speed/direction and runway heading → get crosswind, headwind, 3D vector.
What’s a Safe Crosswind Limit?
15 kt (C172), 20 kt (SR22), 35 kt (737)—never exceed POH.
How to Handle Gusts?
Use peak gust → 25 kt gust = 25 kt crosswind.
Can Drones Use It?
Yes — DJI Mavic limit 20 kt; auto-RTL at 22 kt.
What’s the 60° Rule?
Max crosswind = Wind Speed × sin(60°) for quick mental math.
A Crosswind Calculator is your safety co-pilot—turning 20 kt from 250° on Runway 18 into 17 kt crosswind with go/no-go, 3D diagram, and gust alerts. On Gcalculate.com, get Cessna limits, drone RTL, helicopter hover, and PDF briefings for GA, commercial, or UAV. From 12 kt safe to 25 kt go-around, calculate, compensate, and land like a pro.