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FAA / ICAO Magnetic Runway Designator

Runway Number Calculator

Convert any magnetic compass heading to its official airport runway designation. Calculate reciprocal runways, parallel strip suffixes (L/C/R), and magnetic rounding.

Magnetic Heading & Parallel Inputs

FAA / ICAO Numbering Methodology:

Runways are designated according to their magnetic heading rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, with the trailing zero dropped. A runway with a heading of 088° becomes Runway 09.

The opposite end (reciprocal) is exactly 180° opposite. Runway 09’s reciprocal is Runway 27 (268° rounded to 270°).

Runway Designation Pair
Approach Heading 88°09L
Reciprocal 268°27R
Primary Heading:88° Mag (rnd: 90°)
Reciprocal Heading:268° Magnetic

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Runway Numbering Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about cash runway, burn rates, and financial planning.

Airport runways are numbered according to their magnetic heading rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, with the trailing zero dropped. For example, a runway oriented along magnetic heading 088° is rounded to 090° and designated Runway 09. A runway oriented at 356° is rounded to 360° and designated Runway 36.