Calculate wind pressure from wind speed (q = ½ρV²) in Pa, psf or psi, and the ideal wind force on an area, using standard air density or your own.

1.225 kg/m³ is standard sea-level air at 15 °C. Use a lower value at altitude or in hot weather.

Optional projected area
Blank omits force only in Pressure from density and speed.

Wind Pressure Formula

The following ideal formula estimates force from dynamic pressure with an effective coefficient of 1. Actual object loads require shape, gust, exposure and other design factors.

F = 1/2×p×V2×A
  • Where F is the wind force (N)
  • p is the air density (kg/m3)
  • V is the air velocity (m/s)
  • A is the surface area (m2)

The wind force is also known as the wind load.

The formula can further be reduced to the following:

WP = 1/2×p×V2
  • Where WP is the wind pressure (Pa)
  • p is the air density
  • V is the air velocity

Wind Pressure Definition

Here wind pressure means the nonnegative dynamic pressure q = ½ρV². Actual surface pressure and drag depend on pressure or drag coefficients and are not generally equal to q.

Example Problem

How to calculate wind pressure?

  1. First, determine the density of air.

    Dry air is estimated to have 1.2 kg/m3.

  2. Next, determine the surface area of the object.

    In this example, use a projected area of 50 m2 and an assumed effective coefficient of 1. This does not model actual sphere drag.

  3. Next, determine the wind speed.

    In this example, the wind velocity is 1.5 m/s.

  4. Finally, calculate the wind pressure using the formula above:

    First, the wind force is calculated as:
    F = 1/2*p*V2*A
    F = 1/2*1.2*1.52*50
    F = 67.5 N.
    Then the wind pressure is calculated by dividing the force by area:
    WP = F/A
    WP = 67.5/ 50
    WP = 1.35 Pa