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Aviation Calculators

Wind Correction Angle Calculator

Wind correction angle, heading and groundspeed for a desired track — the classic wind triangle.

Enter values

Results update as you type.

Result

Wind correction angle

-8.47 °

Heading to fly
81.53 °
Groundspeed
101.01 knots
Crosswind component
17.68 knots
Headwind component
17.68 knots
Crab direction
Left of track
Wind effect
Headwind — slower than airspeed

About the Wind Correction Angle Calculator

A crosswind pushes an aircraft or boat sideways, so you must crab into it to keep the track you want. The wind triangle gives the correction angle from the crosswind component and true airspeed, and the headwind component tells you the groundspeed you will actually make.

Also known as: wca calculator, wind triangle calculator, crab angle, crosswind component, heading for wind.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter desired track, true airspeed, wind from, wind speed.
  2. The result updates instantly as you type — press Calculate (or Enter) at any time.
  3. Review the breakdown shown under the main result.
  4. Use Copy result or Share to save the answer or send a link with your inputs.

Formula

WCA = arcsin(crosswind ÷ TAS) · GS = TAS·cos(WCA) − headwind

Worked example

Using the values pre-filled in the calculator above:

  • Desired track = 90 °
  • True airspeed = 120 knots
  • Wind from = 45 °
  • Wind speed = 25 knots

the calculator returns:

  • Wind correction angle: -8.47 °
  • Heading to fly: 81.53 °
  • Groundspeed: 101.01 knots
  • Crosswind component: 17.68 knots