Aspect Ratio Calculator

Long and narrow versus short and wide

Aspect ratio describes how long and narrow, or short and wide, a wing is relative to its area - a single number that predicts a great deal about an aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency, structural weight, and maneuverability.

Worked example

For an aircraft with an 11m wingspan and 16 m² of wing area:

AR = 11² / 16 = 7.56

Aircraft Type	Typical Aspect Ratio
Fighter jet	2 - 4
General aviation	6 - 9
Airliner	8 - 10
Glider / sailplane	15 - 30+

High aspect ratio wings reduce induced drag and improve glide performance, which is why gliders push aspect ratio to extremes, while fighter jets favor low aspect ratio wings for structural strength and high-g maneuverability at the cost of aerodynamic efficiency.