Online Tool Store
Glider Glide Ratio Calculator
Enter altitude lost and horizontal distance covered during a glide to calculate the glider's glide ratio. Runs entirely in your browser.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Example
Glider Glide Ratio Calculator
Sample: 3,000 ft altitude loss over 12 nm
Example shown — replace it with your own altitude and distance.
Altitude lost
3,000 ft
Distance covered
12 nm
Result
How it works
- Enter the altitude lost during a glide segment.
- Enter the horizontal distance covered.
- Get the glide ratio.
The method
Glide ratio is calculated as horizontal distance divided by altitude lost, the standard measure pilots use to describe a glider's efficiency.
FAQ
What does a glide ratio of 24:1 mean?
It means the glider travels 24 units of horizontal distance for every 1 unit of altitude lost — a higher ratio indicates a more efficient glide.
What is a typical glide ratio for a glider?
Modern sailplanes commonly achieve glide ratios between 30:1 and 60:1, while training gliders and vintage designs are often lower.
Does this account for wind conditions?
No — this calculates the still-air glide ratio from your altitude and distance data; headwind or tailwind will change your actual ground distance covered.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Manual division in the cockpit | Flight computer software |
|---|---|---|---|
| No software install | Yes | Yes | No |
| Quick to start | Yes | Slow | Setup required |
| Free to use | Yes | Free | Often paid |
For a quick post-flight check without opening flight computer software, this gets you the ratio fast.