Runway Numbers = Compass Direction

Runway numbers represent their direction in relation to a compass. Example: Runway 27 means it’s facing 270° (west).

Last Digit Dropped

Runways use compass headings rounded to the nearest 10, with the last digit dropped. Example: 184° becomes Runway 18.

Two Numbers = Two Directions

Runway numbers represent their direction in relation to a compass. Example: Runway 27 means it’s facing 270° (west).

Parallel Runways

Airports with multiple parallel runways use letters (L, C, R) for Left, Center, Right to avoid confusion for pilots.

Magnetic Shifts

Over time, Earth’s magnetic field shifts. That’s why some runways are renumbered every few decades to stay accurate.