Crosswind Component Calculator

Work out crosswind component instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Crosswind Component Calculator

The crosswind component is the wind speed multiplied by the sine of the angle between the wind and the runway centreline; the headwind component uses the cosine. At 30 degrees the crosswind is half the wind speed, at 45 degrees about 70%, and at 90 degrees it is the full wind speed.

Formula

Crosswind component

Crosswind = wind speed x sin(angle); Headwind = wind speed x cos(angle)

Worked example

With the default values below, Crosswind Component Calculator returns Crosswind component of 14.14. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Wind speed: 22 kt
Angle between wind and runway: 40 °
Aircraft crosswind limit: 17 kt

Results

Crosswind component: 14.14 kt
Headwind component: 16.85 kt
Percentage of limit used: 83.2% %
Assessment: Within the stated limit

Step by step

1Values used
2Crosswind component
3Crosswind component= 14.14 kt
4Headwind component= 16.85 kt
5Percentage of limit used= 83.2 %
6Assessment= Within the stated limit

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 2 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

Is the demonstrated crosswind a legal limit?

For many light aircraft it is a demonstrated value rather than a certified limit, but operators and flight schools usually treat it as one. Turbine aircraft normally publish hard limits.

Should I use gust or steady wind?

Assess the crosswind on the gust value; that is the worst case the aircraft and pilot must handle during the flare and roll-out.