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True Wind Calculator

Reconcile signed apparent wind, boat speed through water, and an independent water-relative true-wind reference without losing port or starboard tack side.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
Calibrated apparent-wind speed, signed port/starboard apparent wind-from angle, aligned boat speed through water, and an independent signed water-relative true-wind reference
Output to expect
Calculated water-relative true-wind speed/from-angle plus signed and absolute differences from the entered reference
How it works
Adds the apparent-wind-toward and forward through-water boat vectors while preserving tack side; it does not infer forecast wind, ground-relative wind, current or instrument error
  • Align timestamps/averaging and verify wind-from convention, port/starboard sign, sensor angle/speed calibration, heel/upwash and boat speed through water; do not substitute GPS SOG.
  • Use current official marine forecasts/warnings and qualified seamanship for sailing, routing, reefing and safety; this record reconciliation is not a forecast or command.

Choose your path

Built around the job you need to finish

Reconcile one signed apparent-wind/through-water-speed record with an independent water-relative true-wind reference without making forecast, sailing or instrument-certification claims.

Sailor reconciling an instrument log

Preserve whether apparent wind is from port or starboard and use boat speed through water.

Enter the aligned apparent speed, signed wind-from angle, STW and independent reference record.

Sees a reproducible water-relative vector and signed comparison without losing tack side.

Technician investigating a discrepancy

Separate vector arithmetic from sensor, alignment and averaging problems.

Inspect signed/absolute speed and angle differences, then verify calibration, heel, upwash and timing externally.

Uses the worksheet as a record diagnostic rather than a calibration certificate.

Skipper making a sailing or routing decision

Keep official forecasts, warnings and seamanship above one onboard record.

Consult current official marine products and vessel/operator limits outside the calculator.

Does not use the calculated vector as a forecast, reef instruction or route approval.

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Reference & details

How it works

Signed Water-Relative Vector

The calculation converts the entered apparent wind-from record to a wind-toward vector, adds the forward boat-speed-through-water vector, and converts the result back to a signed bow-relative wind-from angle.

Port and Starboard Stay Distinct

Negative angles mean port and positive angles mean starboard. Preserving that sign avoids the old 0–180-degree ambiguity and keeps the entered and reference records comparable.

Reference Check, Not Calibration

Signed and absolute speed/angle differences compare the calculated record with an independent entered reference. Sensor alignment, calibration, averaging, heel, upwash and current effects remain external checks.

Updated: August 2026

Example Scenarios

Enter an aligned apparent-wind record and boat speed through water, then compare the resulting water-relative vector with the independent log reference.

Retain port/starboard sign and inspect the signed difference before checking masthead alignment, heel, upwash, averaging window and instrument configuration.

Use the worksheet for one onboard record only; consult current official marine forecasts, warnings and qualified seamanship for routing, sail plan and reefing decisions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Entering an unsigned apparent-wind angle

Use negative degrees for port and positive degrees for starboard, both measured as wind-from relative to the bow.

Substituting GPS speed over ground for boat speed through water

This water-relative vector requires aligned STW. SOG introduces the current vector and changes the reference frame.

FAQ

No. The entered boat speed is through water, so the result is water-relative. A ground-relative calculation would also require a correctly aligned current or vessel ground-velocity vector.

The sign preserves tack side: negative is port and positive is starboard. An unsigned 45-degree value cannot distinguish those two different vectors.

It shows the arithmetic difference between two entered records. It does not prove sensor accuracy or diagnose timing, calibration, heel, upwash or averaging problems.

No. Use current official marine forecasts and warnings plus vessel-specific procedures and qualified seamanship for operational decisions.

Start with NGA's American Practical Navigator for vector methods and the current National Weather Service marine forecast and warning products linked in the authority panel.

About True Wind Calculator

Use this calculator to reconcile one signed apparent-wind and through-water-speed record with an independently entered water-relative true-wind reference. It is a transparent vector check, not a forecast, sail recommendation, route decision or instrument-calibration certificate.