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Aspect Ratio Of Wing Calculator

Work out aspect ratio of wing instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Aspect Ratio Of Wing Calculator

Aspect ratio is span squared divided by wing area. It matters because induced drag is inversely proportional to it: CDi = CL squared divided by pi times aspect ratio times span efficiency. That is why gliders use very long thin wings and why winglets, which raise effective aspect ratio, cut cruise drag.

Formula

Aspect ratio

AR = span^2 / area; CDi = CL^2 / (pi x AR x e)

Worked example

With the default values below, Aspect Ratio Of Wing Calculator returns Aspect ratio of 7.469. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Wing span
11 m
Wing area
16.2 m²
Lift coefficient in cruise
0.35

Results

Aspect ratio
7.469
Mean aerodynamic chord
1.47 m
Induced drag coefficient
0.00653
Assumed span efficiency
0.80

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Aspect ratio
  3. 3Aspect ratio= 7.469
  4. 4Mean aerodynamic chord= 1.47 m
  5. 5Induced drag coefficient= 0.00653
  6. 6Assumed span efficiency= 0.80

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why not make every wing high aspect ratio?

Long thin wings are heavier for the same strength, are harder to fit in hangars and gates, and flex more. Structure and operations set the practical limit.

What is span efficiency e?

A factor near 0.7-0.9 describing how close the spanwise lift distribution is to the ideal elliptical shape. A value of 0.8 is assumed here.

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