Ground Speed Calculator

Find an aircraft's ground speed from airspeed and headwind/tailwind.

Ground speed (kn) 220

Formula: ground speed = airspeed + tailwind

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. True airspeed = 250 kn

3. Headwind (−) / Tailwind (+) = -30 kn

5. Ground speed = True airspeed + Headwind (−) / Tailwind (+) = 250 + -30 = 220kn

Did we solve your problem today?

Ground speed is how fast an aircraft moves over the ground, adjusted for wind.

The math behind it

With wind directly along the path: ground speed = true airspeed + tailwind (a headwind is negative).

250 kn airspeed with a 30 kn headwind → 220 kn ground speed.

What about crosswinds?

Only the along-track wind component changes ground speed; crosswind affects heading instead.