How to Take Accurate Readings with an Anemometer

February 25, 2025

Whether you're a weather enthusiast, pursue an outdoor or water sport, are a drone pilot, or simply interested in wind levels, it's important to know how to measure wind speed correctly. Accurate, consistent readings will be given by correct usage of an anemometer, but there are several important points to note.

Here's a step-by-step guide to taking the most accurate wind speed readings possible each time.

Choosing the Right Anemometer

Metcheck offers a huge range of anemometers for home-users, each with its own purpose and style, including:

Handheld Anemometers – These are compact, portable devices specially designed for quick and easy wind measurements. These types of anemometers can have either digital or analogue displays.

Impeller-Based Handheld Anemometers – These devices use a small rotating fan to measure the wind speed. Examples from our range include the Skywatch Wind and Skywatch Pro.
Cup-Based Handheld Anemometers – These devices feature spinning cups for wind detection that are used in more advanced field measurements. This technology is mirrored in complete home weather stations, and also in some mounted wind sensors. Examples include the Maximum DIC-3 Handheld Anemometer.
Analogue Handheld Anemometers – These devices, unlike most handheld anemometers, do not use a digital display. The most famous example in our range of an analogue handheld wind meter is the M4 Anemo, which features a red pointer that glows on a dial display, making the current wind speed clear, and easy to read. This particular device also features a locking button in order to fix the observed value when holding the wind meter at arm’s length, allowing you to then read the display up close.

Mounted or Fixed Anemometers – As the name suggests, these anemometers are used for continuous monitoring but at a set location. They can be standalone sensors, or part of a complete weather station, and are used by home users, at airfields and for marine applications.

Dial-Display Anemometers – These more traditional models display wind speed using a needle pointer on a dial display, such as the Maximum Vigilant. Some models have inner and outer scales to allow for the display of readings in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour. Models such as the Maximum Maestro have also found innovative ways to display additional readings such as wind direction, employing the use of subtle LEDs to ensure that the traditional look of the dial face is not jeopardised.
Digital-Display Anemometers – Advanced models like the Maximum Nor'easter, Merlin, and MAC3 have already adopted electronic displays, ideal for those looking for a more modern look, or those who wish to have additional information such as average wind speed or maximum wind speed, which some models also display.

Each type of wind meter has its advantages, but the choice of which to use comes down to your specific needs and budget. A drone pilot may prefer a compact digital anemometer, whereas a sailor would likely choose a higher-end dial display to integrate with other instruments on board.

Preparing for an Accurate Reading

A good quality unit will give a wind speed measurement accurate to around ±0.5 m/s (±2 km/h or ±1 mph). To ensure reliability and accuracy, calibration on a regular basis is recommended, since some anemometers can lose their accuracy with use. Other models such as our Maximum range anemometers, have components that will maintain accuracy for years without maintenance, so be sure to check the manual of your particular device.

When taking wind speed readings, avoid obstacles like walls, trees, or buildings, which create turbulence and affect readings. The best results come from open spaces, such as flat fields or high grounds.

Hold the anemometer at arm's length, away from the body, to avoid interference. For a mounted anemometer, ensure that it is at least 10 meters above ground level for optimal readings. Avoid tilting your wind sensor, whether it be handheld or fixed, at an angle. Instead, maintain it parallel to the wind direction. Read our Mounting and Maintenance Tips Guide for more information.

Lastly, it's important to note that wind speed can fluctuate, so we always recommend taking multiple readings over 10–20 seconds and using the average wind speed for accuracy.