Headwind Component Calculator

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

About Headwind Component Calculator

The angle between the reported wind direction and the runway heading is resolved with cosine for the along-runway (head or tail) component and sine for the crosswind. A negative headwind result is a tailwind, which lengthens the take-off run and the landing distance.

Formula

Wind components

Headwind = wind x cos(wind direction - runway heading); Crosswind = wind x sin(same angle)

Worked example

With the default values below, Headwind Component Calculator returns Headwind component (negative = tailwind) of 15.59. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Wind speed: 18 kt
Wind direction (from): 280 °
Runway heading: 250 °

Results

Headwind component (negative = tailwind): 15.59 kt
Crosswind component: 9.00 kt
Angle off the centreline: 30.00 °
Crosswind from: Right

Step by step

1Values used
2Wind components
3Headwind component (negative = tailwind)= 15.59 kt
4Crosswind component= 9.00 kt
5Angle off the centreline= 30.00 °
6Crosswind from= Right

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

Why can the answer be negative?

A negative along-runway component means the wind is behind you: a tailwind. Most take-off and landing charts limit the tailwind to 10 knots.

Runway heading or runway number?

Use the actual magnetic heading of the runway centreline. Runway numbers are rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, so they can be up to 5 degrees off.