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This calculator is based on the formulas from the 2018 study, “Data-driven quantification of the effect of wind on athletics performance,” in which researchers analyzed 150,000 elite and sub-elite performances.
Wind readings are mandatory for World Athletics-sanctioned events in the following categories:
- 100m
- 200m
- 100m Hurdles
- 110m Hurdles
- Long Jump
- Triple Jump
As anybody who has competed in track and field knows, running into a headwind can significantly decrease your performance, while having a tailwind to your back can improve your times or distances significantly.
To account for this, World Athletics adds or subtracts points to performances based on wind readings. Modifications are as per the following:
| Tail Wind | Head Wind | ||
| +4 m/s | -24 pts | -4 m/s | +24 pts |
| +3 m/s | -18 pts | -3 m/s | +18 pts |
| +2 m/s | -0 pts | -2 m/s | +12 pts |
| +1 m/s | -0 pts | -1 m/s | +6 pts |
| +0 m/s | -0 pts | -0 m/s | +0 pts |
Official World Athletics Technical Rules for Wind Readings
Wind readings are taken over a 10–13 second period during a race. As per World Athletics’ official Technical Rules (17.12 and 17.13):
For the 100-meter and sprint hurdles, the periods for which the wind velocity shall be measured from the flash or smoke of the starter’s gun is:
- 100m – 10 seconds
- 100m Hurdles – 13 seconds
- 110m Hurdles – 13 seconds
For the 200-meter, the wind velocity is normally measured for a period of 10 seconds starting when the first athlete enters the straight.
The wind gauge is read in meters per second, rounded to the next higher tenth of a meter
per second, unless the second decimal is zero, in the positive direction. For example, a reading of +2.03
meters per second is recorded as +2.1, but a reading of -2.03 meters per second is
recorded as -2.0.
Long Jump Wind Readings and Triple Jump Wind Readings
As per rules 29.10 and 29.11, for the long and triple jump:
- The wind gauge should be placed 20m from the takeoff line. The measuring plane shall be positioned 1.22 meters ± 0.05 meters high and not more than 2 meters away from the runway.
- The wind velocity shall be measured for a period of 5 seconds from the time an athlete passes a
- mark placed alongside the runway, 35 meters from the take-off board for the Long Jump and 40 meters from the take-off line for the triple jump
- If an athlete runs less than 40 meters for the long jump or 35 meters for the triple jump, the wind velocity shall be measured from the time they start their run.