Beaufort Wind Scale Calculator

About this calculator

This calculator converts a wind speed into its Beaufort scale number and description, an empirical scale developed by Sir Francis Beaufort in 1805 that ranges from 0 (calm, smoke rises vertically) to 12 (hurricane force, widespread damage), originally based on observed effects on sailing ships and later extended to effects on land such as swaying trees and difficulty walking.

Meteorologists, sailors, and coast guard services still use Beaufort numbers in marine and weather forecasts because they translate an abstract speed into an intuitive, observable description of sea and land conditions. Enter a wind speed (in km/h, mph, or knots) to get its Beaufort force number, name (like "fresh breeze" or "gale"), and typical observed effects.