Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Category Reference
Enter a maximum sustained wind speed and choose mph or km/h. The value is converted to mph when needed, then matched to NHC thresholds.
Enter a speed to see a reference match.
Educational reference only. This is not a live alert, forecast, storm-surge or flood estimate, evacuation guidance, or impact assessment. A category describes maximum sustained wind only and does not represent a storm’s total hazards.
Source and limitationsA QUICK WALKTHROUGH
How to use this tool
- Enter a finite wind speed greater than or equal to zero.
- Choose mph or km/h; km/h is converted using 1 mph = 1.609344 km/h.
- Read the educational wind-category match and its limits.
NHC wind thresholds
Tropical depression: below 39 mph; tropical storm: 39–73 mph; Category 1: 74–95; Category 2: 96–110; Category 3: 111–129; Category 4: 130–156; Category 5: 157 mph or higher.
Source and limitations
National Hurricane Center, Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php . This scale does not account for storm surge, rainfall flooding, tornadoes, or other hazards. Follow official local alerts and emergency instructions.
GOOD TO KNOW
Common questions
Does this tell me whether a storm is dangerous?
No. It maps only a supplied wind speed to a wind category. It is not a warning or a complete hazard or impact assessment.
How is km/h handled?
The entered value is divided by 1.609344 to obtain mph, then the NHC mph thresholds are applied.