Calculate wind velocity from wind force on a surface or from dynamic pressure, or find wind pressure and force from wind speed in mph, km/h, m/s or knots.

Steady incompressible model, supported up to 100 m/s. Use Cd for the same area and orientation.

Illustrative default 1.2; use the coefficient for your object and reference area.

Standard-air default 1.225 kg/m³; actual density depends on conditions.

Optional settings

Wind Velocity Formula

The following simplified equation is used to calculate the wind speed from a force on a surface when the force is approximated as dynamic pressure times projected area (equivalent to assuming an overall drag/pressure coefficient of about 1).

Vw = √((2F) / (ρ A))
  • Where Vw is the wind speed (m/s)
  • F is the wind force on the surface (N)
  • ρ is the air density (kg/m³)
  • A is the projected surface area normal to the wind (m²)

To calculate wind speed, divide 2 times the wind force by the product of air density and projected area, then take the square root of this result. If you have a drag/pressure coefficient (often written as Cd or Cp) for the shape and orientation, a more general form is V = √(2F/(ρ Cd A)).

What is a Wind Velocity?

Definition:

Wind velocity is a vector that describes both the speed and direction of the wind (rate of change of position with respect to time). The speed modes estimate wind speed (the magnitude of velocity), not wind direction; a third mode finds wind pressure and force from a known speed. Select force or dynamic pressure explicitly.

How to Calculate Wind Velocity?

Example Problem:

The following example uses the force mode with Cd = 1, overriding the illustrative 1.2 default, and the simplified relation above. The area must match the reference area used for Cd.

First, determine the wind force. In this example, the wind force is found to be 85 N.

Next, determine the air density. For this problem, the air density is found to be 1.225 kg/m³.

Next, determine the projected surface area normal to the wind. In this case, the area is measured to be 30 m².

Finally, calculate the wind speed using the formula above:

Vw = √(2F/(ρA))

Vw = √(2·85/(1.225·30))

Vw = 2.15 m/s