Kite Force
Calculate exactly how hard your kite will pull ā and the line strength you need to fly it safely
Download on Google Play Use it on iPhone or the web
Calculate exactly how hard your kite will pull ā and the line strength you need to fly it safely
Download on Google Play Use it on iPhone or the webKite Force calculates the exact pull force your kite will generate under current weather conditions using real aerodynamic principles. Essential for safety planning, line selection, and understanding your kite's performance limits whether you're flying sport kites, single-line kites, or kite aerial photography rigs.
Unlike simple estimators, Kite Force uses the standard aerodynamic equation:
F = Ā½ Ć Ļ Ć VĀ² Ć Cd Ć A
Air density (Ļ) is derived from real-time temperature and pressure via the ideal gas law ā not a sea-level assumption. Drag coefficients (Cd) are tuned per kite type ā Quad-Line (1.6), Parafoil (1.5), Delta (0.95), Box (0.9) ā and adjusted for angle of attack. The delta figure is calibrated against real pull measurements from field testing, and you can set your own coefficient for any kite.
Real-time pull force in Newtons, Pounds and Kilograms, with a force table across 10ā30 mph so you see what's coming as wind builds. Automatic line-strength recommendations at a 2Ć safety factor ā the smallest standard line that clears the pull ā plus worst-case analysis against your kite's rated wind ceiling.
Save your kites with photos ā 10 for free, or unlimited with the one-time Unlimited upgrade. 13 kite types supported: Delta, Box, Parafoil, Diamond, Sled, Rokkaku, Dual-Line, Quad-Line, Bols, Bouncing Buddy, Banner, Line Laundry and a generic Other, each with a tuned drag coefficient and the right measurement fields for its geometry. Track manufacturer, product line, wind rating, cost, and last flown dates.
Keep the kites you're eyeing, with the shop link and price. A fit check shows the wind it flies in, how hard it'll pull, the line it needs, and whether it fills a gap in what you already own. Wishlist kites don't count toward your free 10 ā and one tap moves a kite into your library once you buy it.
See a kite you like at the field? Snap it with your phone's camera (zoom works) or pick a photo you already took ā it starts a wishlist entry dated to when you spotted it. Send the photo to Google Lens to figure out exactly what it is.
Auto-fetch current conditions via GPS. Wind speed, direction, temperature, and pressure updated automatically. Interactive Windy.com wind map shows conditions across your area.
Plan your flying sessions ahead of time with detailed weather forecasts. See high/low temperatures and maximum wind speeds for the next 5 days.
Add windsocks, flags, and banners to your force calculations. Choose Small/Medium/Large sizes for accurate additional pull estimation on your line.
Switch units instantly between mph ā m/s, Ā°F ā Ā°C, inHg ā hPa. All calculations and displays update in real-time. Each kite remembers the units it was measured in, so switching never changes its size.
Export/import your entire kite collection in ZIP format with photos preserved. Share individual kite configurations. Auto-backup reminders every 5 app launches.
Start a session and the app records condition snapshots over time with location, so you can compare what a flight actually felt like against what the numbers predicted.
A curated list of upcoming kite festivals and events, sorted by distance from you ā so you never miss one nearby.
All calculations run locally on your device ā the core calculator works anywhere. Live weather, maps and events need a connection. Your kite data stays private on your device.
Plan competition sessions with confidence. Choose the right line strength for varying wind conditions. The forecast feature helps you prepare practice sessions ahead of time.
Fly large show kites safely. Know exactly what forces you're dealing with. Essential for managing multiple-line setups and line laundry trains.
Critical safety tool for KAP rigs. Know exact pull forces before attaching expensive camera equipment. The line laundry calculator accounts for your camera suspension system.
Provide safety recommendations to hundreds of participants based on current conditions. Plan event days with accurate weather forecasts.
Track your entire collection with photos and detailed specs. Know which kites to fly in today's conditions. Monitor your total investment and last flown dates.
Learn kite physics with real calculations. Understand how weather affects performance. See the science behind safe flying practices.
Two questions decide whether a kite flies well and safely: is there enough wind (but not too much), and is your line strong enough for the pull? Here's the quick version ā and how Kite Force turns the rules of thumb into a real number for your kite.
Every kite has its own window: a big light-wind kite flies in a breeze that won't lift a small stunt kite.
The harder the wind ā and the bigger the kite ā the more it pulls, and gusts can hit 1.5ā2Ć the average wind, which is what snaps lines and yanks kites out of hands. Rule of thumb: your line's breaking strength should be at least 2ā3Ć the kite's pull. Common lines: recreational kites ~50 lb for most of their range (20 lb only in the lightest wind); sport kites ~90ā150 lb.
Instead of eyeballing a chart, Kite Force uses real aerodynamic equations to compute the actual pull force ā in Newtons, pounds, or kilograms ā from your kite's size and the live wind at your location, then recommends a line strength. It also tells you whether the wind suits that kite right now ā and because wind changes through the day, it shows an hour-by-hour wind forecast (hard info to find anywhere else) so you can pick the best window to head out, plus a 5-day outlook for planning ahead. Get Kite Force free on Google Play ā
About 8ā18 mph suits most kites ā a gentle-to-moderate breeze. Under ~5 mph is usually too calm; over ~25 mph is too strong for most family kites. Each kite has its own window, and Kite Force checks the live wind for your spot against every kite you've saved.
Pick a line whose breaking strength is at least 2ā3Ć the kite's pull force (because gusts can be 1.5ā2Ć the average wind). Recreational kites use ~50 lb for most of their range, 20 lb only in the lightest wind; sport kites commonly run 90ā150 lb. Kite Force calculates the pull force and recommends a line.
It depends on the kite's area and the wind speed, with gusts adding 1.5ā2Ć the average. Kite Force computes it with real aerodynamic equations from your kite's specs and the live wind, in Newtons, pounds, or kilograms.
Above about 25 mph for most family kites ā and mind the gusts. Kite Force flags when the wind exceeds a kite's safe range so you don't overpower the kite or the line.
It depends on your kite's minimum wind versus the current conditions. Kite Force pulls live wind and a 5-day forecast for your location and tells you, per kite, whether it'll fly and how hard it'll pull.
It varies by day and location ā wind often builds through midday and eases around dawn and dusk, but the only way to really know is an hour-by-hour forecast. Kite Force shows hourly wind for the next 24 hours (plus a 5-day outlook), so you can pick the window when the wind actually suits your kite.
Yes ā free to save up to 10 kites (your wishlist doesn't count) with live wind, pull-force calculation, and line-strength recommendations. A one-time Unlimited upgrade on Android adds unlimited kites and Google Drive backup. On the web version, get in touch if you need more. No subscription.
Yes ā Kite Force runs in the browser at kiteforce.web.app, free, with your kite library, live wind, pull force and line size. On iPhone, open it in Safari, tap Share ā Add to Home Screen, and it works like an app. It reads and writes the same backup files as the Android app, so you can move your kites between them.
Like all ProDirt apps, Kite Force follows our core principles: