Crosswind Component Calculator
Calculate crosswind, headwind, and tailwind components from runway heading, wind direction, and wind speed.
20 knots, 40° off the runway
Runway heading 180°, wind from 220° at 20 kt: the angle is 40°. Crosswind is 20 × sin(40°) = 12.9 kt from the right; headwind is 20 × cos(40°) = 15.3 kt.
Recalculate for the gust speed when assessing gust conditions. Keep wind and runway direction in the same true or magnetic reference.
Formula and method
Crosswind = wind speed × sin(relative wind angle). Headwind or tailwind = wind speed × cos(relative wind angle).
Crosswind Component questions
How is crosswind component calculated?
The wind is resolved into components relative to the runway. Crosswind uses the sine of the relative angle; the along-runway headwind or tailwind component uses the cosine.
How should I think about gusts?
If you want to examine the gust condition, run a separate scenario using the reported gust speed while keeping the wind direction consistent with the source. Compare the result with the aircraft and operating guidance that applies.
Is demonstrated crosswind automatically a hard limitation?
Not always. Use the exact wording in the current POH or AFM and any operator or personal limits that apply to the flight.