Lift Force Calculator

Calculate aerodynamic lift force using the lift equation with precise unit conversions

Please enter a valid lift coefficient
Please enter a valid wing area
Please enter a valid air density
Please enter a valid velocity
0
Newtons (N)

Lift Force Formula

FL = CL × A × ρ × V² / 2

Where:

  • FL = Lift Force (N)
  • CL = Lift Coefficient (dimensionless)
  • A = Wing Area (m²)
  • ρ = Air Density (kg/m³)
  • V = Velocity (m/s)

Example Calculations

Commercial Aircraft Example

Given: CL = 1.2, Wing Area = 150 m², Air Density = 1.225 kg/m³, Velocity = 80 m/s

Solution: FL = 1.2 × 150 × 1.225 × 80² / 2 = 882,000 N

Small Aircraft Example

Given: CL = 0.8, Wing Area = 12 m², Air Density = 1.225 kg/m³, Velocity = 45 m/s

Solution: FL = 0.8 × 12 × 1.225 × 45² / 2 = 11,907 N

What is Lift Force?

Lift force is the component of aerodynamic force perpendicular to the direction of motion. It’s generated when air flows over and under a wing at different speeds, creating a pressure difference that results in an upward force.

Lift Coefficient (CL)

The lift coefficient is a dimensionless number that describes the relationship between the lift generated by a lifting body and the fluid density, velocity, and area. It varies with angle of attack and wing design.

Factors Affecting Lift

Lift force depends on wing area, air density, velocity squared, and the lift coefficient. Higher velocities dramatically increase lift due to the squared relationship in the equation.

Applications

This calculator is used in aircraft design, aerodynamics research, drone development, and educational purposes to understand the principles of flight and optimize wing designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the lift coefficient for my wing?
The lift coefficient is typically determined through wind tunnel testing or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. For standard airfoils, published data is available. Common values range from 0.2 to 1.8 depending on the airfoil shape and angle of attack.
What is the standard air density value?
At sea level and standard conditions (15°C, 1013.25 hPa), air density is 1.225 kg/m³. This value decreases with altitude – at 10,000 feet, it’s approximately 0.905 kg/m³.
Why does velocity have such a large effect on lift?
Velocity is squared in the lift equation, meaning doubling the speed quadruples the lift force. This is why aircraft need to reach specific speeds for takeoff and why faster aircraft can use smaller wings.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator uses the standard lift equation which is very accurate for subsonic flight conditions. For supersonic flight or very high angles of attack, more complex calculations involving compressibility effects are needed.
What units can I use for calculations?
The calculator supports multiple unit systems including metric (SI) and imperial units. All conversions are handled automatically, and the result is displayed in Newtons (N).