What this calculator does
Crosswind & headwind component works out splits a wind reading into the part blowing across your path and the part blowing along it. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaCrosswind = wind speed × sin(angle); headwind/tailwind = wind speed × cos(angle), angle between the wind direction and your heading
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Wind speed (knots) | A number, measured in knots. Starts at 15. |
| Angle between wind and heading (°) | A number, measured in °. Starts at 30. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with wind speed
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while wind speed varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.