Pole Wind Load Calculator
LED Lighting Supply’s EPA calculator and pole wind load (PWL) calculator determines the wind load and effective projected area (EPA) of a light, utility, or telecom pole. This free tool helps utility contractors and facility managers ensure structural stability and safety during installation for any region.
Frontal Projected Area (FPA)
Drag Coefficient (DC)
Wind Speed
Wind Load
Effective Projected Area (EPA)
How to Calculate Wind Load on a Pole With LED Lighting Supply's Pole Wind Load Calculator
Determine FPA and enter it into the calculator.
What is the frontal projected area? FPA is the surface area, or silhouette area, of the pole and its mounting components that are exposed to wind.
Click the ft2 button on the right of the projected area input box to toggle the measurement from square feet or square meters.
Determine the drag coefficient of your pole based on its shape. The assumed drag coefficient (Cd) is 1.20 for flat plate bodies, 0.85 for spherical bodies, and 1.00 for angled bodies.
Each component of a light pole, utility pole, or telecom pole, including the mounting brackets and light fixture, has a dedicated drag profile.
What is drag profile? A drag profile describes the amount of wind force or pressure the pole and each of its components can withstand.
What is the drag coefficient (Cd)? The drag coefficient (Cd) refers to the amount of wind that drags against the fixture and measures the fixture's resistance to wind forces. Square-engineered poles generally produce more aerodynamic drag than round poles due to their flat faces and sharp edges, which increase turbulence. In contrast, round poles have lower drag coefficients, offering reduced resistance to wind pressures.
Determine the region’s average wind speed of the installed pole using our EPA wind rating map. Our wind speed location areas are determined by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
To switch units of measurement, click the “mph” button next to the wind speed input box to toggle between meters per second, feet per second, miles per hour, and kilometers per hour.
What is wind speed rating?
Wind speed rating refers to the maximum wind speed a light, utility, or telecom pole can withstand without creating structural damage or potential safety hazards to the public. Utilize our wind speed map to define the installed area’s wind speed (V) or speak to one of our Product Specialists.
Air density and wind zones vary by region and environmental factors. This requires light, utility, and telecom poles engineering to be able to withstand worst-case weather events.
Do specific regions experience more intense wind loads than others?
Yes, high-elevation areas, hurricane-prone coastal areas, and regions with large bodies of water are considered intense environmental regions with high wind speeds.
- Coastal areas are prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, making them naturally susceptible to higher wind speeds.
- Hurricane-prone regions, such as states on the Gulf of Mexico coast, are likely to experience hurricane-strength winds.
Special wind regions include specific areas that are likely to experience high wind loads. This is caused by topographical features.
Click calculate to compute the estimated pole’s wind load calculation and EPA.
To switch units of measurement, click the “lb” button next to the wind load output box to toggle between pounds, Newtons, and kilograms.
EPA refers to the adjusted area, which accounts for both the frontal projected area and the aerodynamic properties (shape, porosity, shielding) of each component.
To switch units of measurement, click the “ft²” button next to the EPA output box to toggle between square feet and square meters.
The calculator considers the basic wind speed (mph) for the installed region's frontal projected area (ft2) and drag coefficient (DC).
- Drag coefficient helps accurately determine wind force impact
- Basic wind speeds assess the potential forces acting on a pole, accounting for negative internal pressure coefficient better predicts wind effects on enclosed structures
For existing and new construction projects, it is essential to ensure compliance with current wind load standards, as these influence design requirements and safety assessments.
A high-performance light pole is engineered to withstand high wind speeds and potential ailments in a given location without fail. Get live help from one of our Product Expert’s to ensure the proper pole solution for your project with accurate pole counts.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
How Important is Wind Load When Choosing Poles?
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Wind load plays a pivotal role in the design and safety of poles, as it directly influences how a structure will perform under high wind conditions. Calculating wind load accurately is crucial because excessive wind force can lead to bending, swaying, or even structural failure.
At LED Lighting Supply, our Product Specialists have helped contractors and engineers specify steel, fiberglass, and wood poles to meet both structural and regional requirements. Ensuring your pole's EPA matches the local wind conditions is the first step to ensuring safe, code-compliant installation.
What Is the Difference Between Frontal Projected Area (FPA) and Effective Projected Area (EPA)?
This is a common point of confusion amongst many of the inquiries we receive. The Frontal Projected Area (FPA) is the actual surface area facing the wind that includes light fixtures, brackets, and mounts.
The Effective Projected Area (EPA) adjusts that surface area based on shape and wind resistance (drag coefficient). EPA is what engineers and manufacturers use to determine if a pole can safely handle wind forces. So while FPA is an input, EPA is the critical output used in pole selection.
How Much Wind Can a Utility Pole Withstand?
What we've learned from installing thousands of poles is that wind load depends on the pole's material, design, and installation location.
Many of our steel, fiberglass, and wood poles are rated to withstand high wind speeds of 130mph to 160mph. We have found that selecting the proper wind load rating requires:
- The pole’s EPA
- The wind speed zone or region for the installed pole
- The pole height and mounting configuration
- The pole's material
Does Pole Shape Affect Wind Load?
In our 15 years of experience, we've found that pole shape significantly affects its aerodynamic performance. Round poles typically have lower drag coefficients (around 0.85 to 1.00) and produce less resistance to wind pressure, while square poles tend to have higher drag coefficients (up to 1.20) due to flat faces and sharp edges that create more turbulence.
When calculating wind load, it’s important to select the right Cd based on your pole shape. The difference in drag can meaningfully impact your final EPA and safe pole selection.
Can I Use This Calculator for Any Type of Pole?
Yes, we have designed our Pole Wind Load Calculator to be used for steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood poles.
Different materials have different structural limits. While the calculator provides accurate wind load and EPA estimates, we always recommend confirming your selection with a Product Expert, especially for wood poles and composite materials where class ratings (such as Class 1 or Class 4) may come into play.
How Accurate is the Pole Wind Load Calculator?
Our calculator is based on industry-standard formulas used in pole and structural design. It provides reliable EPA and wind load estimates when accurate inputs are provided. However, it does not account for:
- Dynamic gust factors
- Site-specific shielding
- Soil or foundation conditions
We recommend using this tool for preliminary planning and comparison, and consulting with a Product Specialist for final structural validation, especially on high-risk or mission-critical installations.
Is Local Terrain or Exposure Category (e.g., Open Terrain vs. Urban Area) Factored in?
What we've learned from 15 years in the industry is that wind load is heavily influenced by surrounding terrain and exposure. Our calculator is ideal for standard EPA and wind load assessments. However, working directly with our Product Experts will ensure considerations of region-specifics, including:
- Topographic factors (elevation, hills, valleys)
- Terrain exposure (open plains vs. suburban/urban areas)
- Sea level and ground snow load
- Local ASCE 7 and AASHTO LRFD guidelines
Will This Calculator Help Me Choose the Right Pole Rating or Class For My Project?
We've helped specify poles for hundreds of projects, and we've found that the ideal pole height depends on several key factors. Our Product Specialists believe that calculating the correct wind load and EPA is the first step in selecting the right light pole rating or utility pole class.
Whether you’re specifying a 30' steel pole, Class 2 wood pole, or a fiberglass telecom mast, the EPA result helps determine:
- The maximum wind pressure the pole must resist
- Whether your selected pole is structurally adequate for the mounting configuration
- Compliance with local codes and design safety margins
Our Product Experts will help match your result to the proper pole class and material for your project, ensuring long-term durability and structural safety.
How is EPA calculated?
The exact EPA formula is: EPA = Frontal Projected Area * Drag Coefficient
Design & Engineering Basics for Light & Utility Poles
Pole design is a foundational element in structural engineering, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety and stability of poles exposed to environmental forces. One of the most significant factors in pole design is wind load, which refers to the wind pressure or force that wind exerts on a structure.
Accurate wind load calculation is essential, as it determines how a pole will respond to varying wind speeds and directions. These factors help engineers determine the appropriate size, shape, and material for the pole, and ensure it can withstand high winds and maintain structural integrity.
By understanding the relationship between wind, wind load, and exposure category, designers can create poles that are both safe and durable, regardless of the environmental conditions they face.
What is the Formula for Calculating Wind Load?
There are two common ways to convert wind speed, drag, air density, and FPA to manually calculate pole wind load.
Calculating Pole Wind Load Formula - Option 1:
Using Frontal Projected Area (FPA), Drag Coefficient (Cd), and The Square of Wind Speed (V²)
- PWL = 0.613 × Frontal Projected Area (FPA) × Coefficient (Cd) × the Square of Wind Speed (V²)
Note: The 0.613 variable converts the units to the standard Newtons (N) unit.
Calculating Pole Wind Load Formula - Option 2:
Using Air Density (ρ), Wind Velocity (V), and EPA
This second formula incorporates velocity pressure (q). The formula can be further modified by internal and external pressure coefficients for enclosed or semi-enclosed structures.
- q = 0.5 × ρ × V²
- PWL = q × EPA
External Pressure Coefficient (GCpe): Multiplier of q to account for wind pushing or suction on outer surfaces.
Internal Pressure Coefficient (GCpi): Applies to enclosed or semi-enclosed structures; accounts for wind pressure that builds inside.
Use the formula below to calculate the total design pressure on a surface
- Total design pressure on a surface = (GCpe−GCpi) x q
