Mechanical & Civil Engineering
Drag Polar Calculator
Compute induced drag and parasitic drag from a wing's drag polar coefficients.
Your inputs
Change any value to update the result instantly.
Total drag
2,636.68 N
Induced drag
1,754.68 N
Parasitic drag
882 N
Total CD
0.0747
L/D ratio
13.38
What this calculator does
Drag Polar Calculator: Applies the standard aerodynamics or orbital-mechanics relationship so the force, efficiency or manoeuvre cost can be worked out from the flight inputs.
What your result means
The headline figure is the aerodynamic force, efficiency or manoeuvre cost implied by your flight inputs. Real vehicles carry additional losses and margins.
Formula and working
CD = CD0 + CL²/(π·e·AR); D = 0.5·ρ·v²·S·CD
- 1
Collect the inputs
Air density = 1.225 kg/m³; Velocity = 60 m/s; Wing area = 16 m²; Lift coefficient = 1; Zero-lift drag coefficient = 0.025; Aspect ratio = 8; Oswald efficiency factor = 0.8
- 2
Apply the formula
CD = CD0 + CL²/(π·e·AR); D = 0.5·ρ·v²·S·CD
- 3
Result
Total drag = 2,636.68 N
Frequently asked questions
Symbols and assumptions
- rho
- Air density (kg/m³)
- v
- Velocity (m/s)
- S
- Wing area (m²)
- CL
- Lift coefficient
- CD0
- Zero-lift drag coefficient
- AR
- Aspect ratio
- e
- Oswald efficiency factor
- • Standard-atmosphere and idealised flow or two-body orbital conditions are assumed.
- • Losses, gravity turn, atmospheric drag and vehicle-specific effects are not modelled unless the page names them.
Sources and review
Reviewed 2026-09-22 · Next review 2027-09-22
- • This is an educational estimate for learning and checking, not a design deliverable.
- • Real design must follow the governing code or standard for your jurisdiction and be reviewed and signed off by a qualified engineer.
- • Safety factors, load combinations and material certification are the responsibility of the designer, not of this page.
Important limitation
This is an educational estimate based only on the values and formula shown. Verify current rates, rules, units, and professional standards before relying on the result. It is not personalized financial or investment advice.
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