# Wind Correction Angle Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/physics/wind-correction-angle/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The wind correction angle calculator finds the heading a pilot must fly to hold a desired course in a crosswind, the wind correction angle and the resulting ground speed.

## Inputs

- True airspeed (TAS) (knots, km/h, mph, m/s)
- Desired course (°, rad, arcmin, arcsec, mrad)
- Wind speed (knots, km/h, mph, m/s)
- Wind direction (from) (°, rad, arcmin, arcsec, mrad)

## Results

- Wind correction angle
- Heading to fly
- Ground speed
- Headwind component (negative = tailwind)

## Formula

```
WCA = asin(V_w·sin(θ_w − θ_c)/TAS),  heading = course + WCA,  GS = TAS·cos(WCA) − V_w·cos(θ_w − θ_c)
```

## Explanation

Wind blows an aircraft (or boat) sideways off its intended track. Pilots crab into the wind by the wind correction angle so the ground track follows the course – the classic wind triangle of navigation.

### How to use the Wind Correction Angle Calculator

- **True airspeed (TAS)**
- **Desired course**
- **Wind speed**
- **Wind direction (from)**

Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.

### How it works

Enter the true airspeed, desired true course, wind speed and the direction the wind is blowing from.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterTrue airspeed (TAS)Units: knots, km/h, mph, m/sDesired courseUnits: °, rad, arcmin, arcsec, mradWind speedUnits: knots, km/h, mph, m/sWind direction (from)Units: °, rad, arcmin, arcsec, mrad

### What each result means

- **Wind correction angle** = deg(asin([Wind speed]×sin(rad([Wind direction (from)] - [Desired course]))÷[True airspeed (TAS)]))
- **Heading to fly** = mod([Desired course] + [Wind correction angle] + 360, 360)
- **Ground speed** = [True airspeed (TAS)]×cos(rad([Wind correction angle])) - [Wind speed]×cos(rad([Wind direction (from)] - [Desired course]))
- **Headwind component (negative = tailwind)** = [Wind speed]×cos(rad([Wind direction (from)] - [Desired course]))

### Example values

How the main result changes when **True airspeed** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

True airspeed (TAS) (knots)Wind correction angle (°)60-16.77990-11.096120-8.299150-6.631180-5.522240-4.139

## Worked example

Inputs — True airspeed (TAS): 120 knots; Desired course: 90 °; Wind speed: 20 knots; Wind direction (from): 30 °.

Results — **Wind correction angle = -8.299 °**; Heading to fly = 81.7 °; Ground speed = 108.7434 knots; Headwind component (negative = tailwind) = 10 knots.

## Key terms

- **Wind triangle**: Vector relation between airspeed, wind and ground speed.

## FAQ

**Is wind direction "from" or "to"?**
Meteorological winds are given as the direction they blow from.

**What is crabbing?**
Pointing the nose into the wind so the track stays on course.

**Why does a headwind reduce ground speed?**
It subtracts from the airspeed along the track.

**Can the wind be too strong to correct?**
Yes – if the crosswind exceeds the airspeed.


## Sources

- [NASA Glenn – Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics](https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/)
- [FAA – Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge](https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak)