Sachin Walls
Airport runways are numbered according to compass bearings. This means runway numbers are based on the compass, with 360 representing north, 90 representing east, 180 representing south, and 270 representing west. Runways are numbered between 01 and 36. The numbers are always given as individual numbers combined together, with each number read separately to ensure there is no confusion. For example, runway 22 is pronounced two-two (not twenty-two).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How are runway numbers assigned? | Airport runways are numbered according to compass bearings. |
| What do the numbers represent? | 360 represents north, 90 represents east, 180 represents south, and 270 represents west. |
| What is the range of runway numbers? | Runways are numbered between 01 and 36. |
| How are runway headings pronounced? | The last number is dropped and each individual number is pronounced. For instance, a compass heading of 310 degrees would read 31 and be pronounced as three one. |
| How are runway numbers rounded? | The FAA rounds headings to the nearest ten. |
| How are runway numbers pronounced in the USA and Europe? | The first zero is commonly truncated in the USA (but in Europe, it is pronounced). So, runway “22” is pronounced runway “two-two” (not “twenty-two”) and runway “9L” is pronounced as “Nine-left”. |
| How are runway numbers calculated? | The runway numbers are taken from the magnetic heading of the runway, and then rounded to the nearest 10 degrees. The final zero is then removed. |
| How are runway numbers different at opposite ends of the same runway? | Opposite ends of the same runway have different numbers, 18 (which represents 180 degrees) apart. A runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south. |
What You'll Learn
Airport runways are numbered according to compass bearings
The majority of airport runways worldwide still use magnetic headings, so it’s easy for your compass or heading indicator to align with the numbers you see as you line up for takeoff or landing. Runway numbers are always given as individual numbers combined together. Each number is read separately to ensure that there is no confusion. There are no whole 10s or 100s used when ATC or pilots mention runways. Also, the first zero is commonly truncated in the USA (but in Europe, it is pronounced). So, runway “22” is pronounced runway “two-two” (not “twenty-two”) and runway “9L” is pronounced as “nine-left”.
Runway numbers are taken from the magnetic heading of the runway, and then rounded to the nearest 10 degrees. The final zero is then removed. Opposite ends of the same runway have different numbers, 18 (which represents 180 degrees) apart. A runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south. Even though these are the same strip of concrete, they are treated as separate runways by pilots and controllers.
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Runways are numbered between 01 and 36
Runway numbers are based on the compass, with 360 representing north, 90 representing east, 180 representing south, and 270 representing west. The numbers are based on the magnetic azimuth (compass bearing) in which a runway is oriented. This means that runway numbers are always between 01 and 36. The numbers are rounded to the nearest 10 degrees and the final zero is removed. For example, a compass heading of 310 degrees would be read as 31 and pronounced as 'three one'.
The first zero is commonly truncated in the USA, but in Europe, it is pronounced. So, runway '22' is pronounced 'two-two' in the USA, but 'twenty-two' in Europe.
Opposite ends of the same runway have different numbers, 18 (which represents 180 degrees) apart. For example, a runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south.
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The last number is dropped and each individual number is pronounced
Runway numbers are based on the compass, with 360 representing north, 90 representing east, 180 representing south, and 270 representing west. The numbers are based on the magnetic azimuth (compass bearing) in which a runway is oriented. For example, a runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south.
Runways are numbered between 01 and 36. The last number is dropped and each individual number is pronounced. For instance, a compass heading of 310 degrees would read 31 and be pronounced as 'three one'. This is done for simplicity, as the FAA rounds headings to the nearest ten. So, even if the heading is 308 degrees, the runway would be called 'three one' instead.
The first zero is commonly truncated in the USA (but in Europe, it is pronounced). So, runway '22' is pronounced 'two-two' (not 'twenty-two') and runway '9L' is simply pronounced as 'nine left'.
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The first zero is commonly truncated in the USA
Runway numbers are based on the compass, with 360 representing north, 90 representing east, 180 representing south, and 270 representing west. The numbers are based on the compass bearing of one runway end, rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, and then the final zero is removed. This means runways are numbered between 01 and 36. For instance, a compass heading of 310 degrees would be read as 31 and pronounced as 'three one'.
Runways are numbered sequentially based on the number of runways at the airport. Opposite ends of the same runway have different numbers, 18 (which represents 180 degrees) apart. For example, a runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south. Even though these are the same strip of concrete, they are treated as separate runways by pilots and controllers.
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Opposite ends of the same runway have different numbers
Runway numbers are based on the compass, with 360 representing north, 90 representing east, 180 representing south, and 270 representing west. The numbers are then rounded to the nearest 10 degrees and the final zero is removed. For example, a runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south. This is because the north-facing runway is 180 degrees in the opposite direction of the south-facing runway.
Even though these are the same strip of concrete, they are treated as separate runways by pilots and controllers. This is because the orientation of taking off and landing is specific to wind direction, which is constantly changing.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport runway numbers are based on the compass bearing in which a runway is oriented. This means runway numbers are based on the compass with 360 representing north, 90 representing east, 180 representing south, and 270 representing west.
The numbers represent the direction the runway faces. For example, a runway with 35 for landings to the north will have runway 17 for landings to the south.
Each number is read separately to ensure that there is no confusion. So, runway “22” is pronounced runway “two-two” (not “twenty-two”) and runway “9L” is simply pronounced as “Nine-left”.
