Rate of Climb Calculator

Quickly determine an aircraft’s rate of climb based on altitude gained over a specific time period. This is a key performance metric for pilots.

Enter the altitude change and time taken, then click “Calculate ROC”.

Climb Data
Change in Altitude:		feet
Time Taken:

Understanding Rate of Climb

Rate of Climb (ROC) is an aircraft’s vertical speed – how quickly it gains altitude. It’s typically expressed in feet per minute (ft/min) or meters per second (m/s). Knowing your aircraft’s ROC is crucial for several reasons:

• Performance Assessment: It helps evaluate if the aircraft is performing as expected according to its flight manual.
• Flight Planning: Essential for calculating time to reach cruising altitude and ensuring terrain clearance.
• Safety: A healthy ROC is vital for obstacle avoidance, especially during takeoff and in mountainous areas.
• Efficiency: Optimizing climb profiles can save fuel and time.

The basic formula to calculate Rate of Climb is:

Rate of Climb (ROC) = Change in Altitude / Time Taken

This calculator uses this fundamental principle to provide an estimate of your aircraft’s ROC in feet per minute (ft/min).

Aviation & Flight Resources

FAA Airplane Flying Handbook Rate of Climb (Wikipedia) Vy vs. Vx Climb Performance (Boldmethod)