Drag Coefficient Calculator

Calculate drag force, work, and power required to overcome air resistance on a moving object. The drag force is determined by the drag coefficient, fluid density, velocity, and frontal area.

Drag Force Calculation

Calculate the drag force and related energy metrics acting on an object moving through a fluid using the drag equation:

Fd = cd × ½ × ρ × v² × A

Where:

Fd = drag force (N)
cd = drag coefficient (dimensionless)
ρ = fluid density (kg/m³)
v = flow velocity (m/s)
A = frontal area (m²)

Calculator

Inputs

Drag Coefficient (cd)

Fluid Density (ρ) (kg/m³)

Velocity (v) (m/s)

Frontal Area (A) (m²)

Distance Traveled (m)

Time Duration (s)

Results

Drag Force-- N

Work Done Against Drag-- J

Power Required-- W

Power Required-- kW

Object Type	Drag Coefficient (cd)	Notes
Laminar flat plate (Re=10⁶)	0.001	Ideal streamlined surface
Dolphin	0.0036	Wetted area
Turbulent flat plate (Re=10⁶)	0.005
Subsonic Transport Aircraft	0.012
Supersonic Fighter (M=2.5)	0.016
Streamlined body	0.04	π/4 d²
Airplane wing (normal position)	0.05
Streamlined half-body	0.09
Long streamlined body	0.1
Bicycle - Streamlined Velomobile	0.12	5 ft² (0.47 m²)
Airplane wing (stalled)	0.15
Modern car (Tesla Model 3/Y)	0.23
Toyota Prius / Tesla Model S	0.24	Frontal area
Sports car (sloping rear)	0.25	0.2-0.3 range
Common car (Opel Vectra Class C)	0.29	Frontal area
Hollow semi-sphere facing stream	0.38
Bird	0.4	Frontal area
Solid Hemisphere	0.42	π/4 d²
Sphere	0.5
Saloon car (stepped rear)	0.45	0.4-0.5 range
Bike - Drafting	0.5	3.9 ft² (0.36 m²)
Convertible (open top)	0.65	0.6-0.7 range
Bus	0.7	0.6-0.8 range
Old car (T-ford)	0.8	0.7-0.9 range
Cube	0.8	s²
Bike - Racing	0.88	3.9 ft² (0.36 m²)
Bicycle	0.9
Tractor Trailed Truck	0.96	Frontal area
Truck	0.9	0.8-1.0 range
Person standing	1.15	1.0-1.3 range
Bike - Upright Commuter	1.1	5.5 ft² (0.51 m²)
Thin disk / Circular plate	1.1	π/4 d²
Solid hemisphere (normal to flat)	1.17	π/4 d²
Squared flat plate (90°)	1.17
Wires and cables	1.15	1.0-1.3 range
Person (upright position)	1.15	1.0-1.3 range
Hollow semi-cylinder (opposite)	1.2
Ski jumper	1.25	1.2-1.3 range
Hollow semi-sphere (open dish)	1.38	1.33-1.42 range
Passenger Train	1.8	Frontal area
Motorcycle and rider	1.8	Frontal area
Long flat plate (90°)	1.98
Rectangular box	2.1