Glide Distance Calculator
Fill in the values and the answer updates as you type.
How the Glide Distance Calculator works
Still-air distance = height × glide ratio ÷ 6,076 ft per NM. Wind scales the ground distance by (glide speed − headwind) ÷ glide speed, and time aloft = still-air distance ÷ glide speed. Real glides are shorter because of turns, a windmilling propeller, and sink in the air. Use the best glide speed and ratio from your flight manual, and treat the answer as a planning estimate only. Example: with Height above ground 6500 ft, Glide ratio 9 : 1, Headwind (negative = tailwind) 10 kt, and Best glide speed 68 kt, the result is Glide distance over the ground (NM) = 8.2; Still-air glide distance (NM) = 9.6; Ground distance (statute miles) = 9.5.
Inputs and results
The Glide Distance Calculator takes 4 inputs and gives 5 results.
What you enter
- Height above ground (ft) — starts at 6500.
- Glide ratio (: 1) — starts at 9.
- Headwind (negative = tailwind) (kt) — starts at 10.
- Best glide speed (kt) — starts at 68.
What you get
- Glide distance over the ground (NM)
- Still-air glide distance (NM)
- Ground distance (statute miles)
- Ground distance (km)
- Time aloft (minutes)
Example: Glide Distance Calculator with the starting values
With height above ground 6500 ft, glide ratio 9 : 1, headwind (negative = tailwind) 10 kt and best glide speed 68 kt, the calculator returns:
| Glide distance over the ground (NM) | 8.2 |
|---|---|
| Still-air glide distance (NM) | 9.6 |
| Ground distance (statute miles) | 9.5 |
| Ground distance (km) | 15.2 |
| Time aloft (minutes) | 8.5 |
Change any value above and the results update straight away.
Glide Distance Calculator FAQ
How do I use the Glide Distance Calculator?
Enter height above ground, glide ratio, headwind (negative = tailwind) and best glide speed in the fields, then read glide distance over the ground (nm), still-air glide distance (nm), ground distance (statute miles) and ground distance (km) in the result panel. The answer updates as you type, and you can press Calculate or Enter to refresh it. Use “Copy link” to share your exact numbers with someone else.
What does the Glide Distance Calculator calculate?
How far an aircraft can glide from a given height. It returns glide distance over the ground (nm), still-air glide distance (nm), ground distance (statute miles) and ground distance (km) from the 4 values you provide.
What values does the Glide Distance Calculator start with?
It opens with height above ground 6500 ft, glide ratio 9 : 1, headwind (negative = tailwind) 10 kt and best glide speed 68 kt so you can see a working result straight away. Replace them with your own numbers, or press Reset to return to these starting values.
Is the Glide Distance Calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I rely on the Glide Distance Calculator for important decisions?
Treat the result as a well-rounded estimate. Real situations often have details a general calculator cannot know, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. See the Disclaimer for more.