How to use the flight tracker
- Pick an airport, or press Use my location to see what’s flying over you.
- Choose a radius. The radar shows north at the top and you in the middle; planes move every second and the data refreshes every 10 seconds.
- Tap a plane, on the radar or in the list, to see its height, speed, heading, aircraft type and registration.
Colors show height: grey planes are on the ground, green ones are low (taking off or landing), yellow ones are climbing or descending, and blue ones are cruising high. A red plane is broadcasting an emergency code.
Questions
Where does the data come from? From adsb.lol, an open network of volunteers who run small radio receivers that pick up the position signals (ADS-B) planes broadcast. Its data is free to use under the Open Database License.
Why is a plane I can see missing? Coverage depends on whether someone near you runs a receiver, and some planes (many military and small private aircraft) don’t broadcast a position. Big airports in North America and Europe are covered best.
Does it share my location? Only when you press Use my location, and only rounded to about 10 km before it leaves your browser. Requests go through this site, so the data service never sees your IP address. The rounded spot is remembered on this device so the page opens there next time.
What is a squawk? A four-digit code air traffic control gives a plane. Three are special: 7700 means an emergency, 7600 lost radio contact and 7500 a hijack.
Planning a trip across time zones? Try the World Clock.