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Rate Of Climb Calculator

Work out rate of climb instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Rate Of Climb Calculator

Rate of climb is altitude gained divided by time. Converting it to a gradient needs ground speed: feet per nautical mile equals rate of climb divided by ground speed in nautical miles per minute, and a percentage gradient is that figure divided by 6076.12 ft per nautical mile.

Formula

Climb performance

ROC = altitude / time; gradient (ft/nm) = ROC x 60 / ground speed

Worked example

With the default values below, Rate Of Climb Calculator returns Rate of climb required of 750. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Altitude to gain
6,000 ft
Time available
8 min
Ground speed
120 kt

Results

Rate of climb required
750 ft/min
Climb gradient
6.17% %
Gradient
375 ft/nm
Distance covered in the climb
16.00 nm

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Climb performance
  3. 3Rate of climb required= 750 ft/min
  4. 4Climb gradient= 6.17 %
  5. 5Gradient= 375 ft/nm
  6. 6Distance covered in the climb= 16.00 nm

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 do departure procedures use gradients not rates?

A gradient guarantees obstacle clearance regardless of speed. The required rate of climb in ft/min then depends on how fast you are going over the ground.

Quick mental conversion?

Required ROC in ft/min is roughly gradient in ft/nm times ground speed in knots divided by 60.

Related Calculators

Rate Of Climb Calculator – Calculate Rate of climb required