When is the wind measured, and what does the reading change?
I · Intermediate · The jump · 3 of 6The wind is measured for 5 seconds on every jump, starting when the athlete passes a mark 35 m from the take-off line. The reading is published with the distance. A following wind averaging more than 2 metres per second means the jump cannot be ratified as a record. It still counts in the competition.
How it works
- The gauge: 20 m from the take-off line, 1.22 m high and no more than 2 m from the runway.
- For how long: "a period of 5 seconds from the time an athlete passes a mark placed alongside the runway", 35 m from the take-off line.
- A short run-up: if the athlete runs less than that, the 5 seconds start when they begin their run.
- The reading: in metres per second, rounded to the next higher tenth in the positive direction. A reading of +2.03 is recorded as +2.1.
- Records: "If the wind velocity, measured in the direction of jumping, averages more than 2 metres per second, the performance will not be ratified."
- The competition: the jump counts whatever the wind.
- Wind sock: one or more wind socks are placed near the runway to show athletes the direction and strength of the wind.
A jump made with too much wind is called wind-assisted.
Tricky cases
An athlete wins with a jump that had a +3.5 wind. Do they keep the win?
Yes. The wind limit applies to records, not to the result of the competition.
Can an athlete wait for the wind to drop?
Yes, within the time allowed for the trial, which is normally one minute.
The reading is exactly +2.0. Can the jump be a record?
Yes. The limit is "more than 2 metres per second".
Why the rule exists
A tailwind adds speed on the runway and so adds distance. It helps whoever happens to be jumping at that moment, which is accepted as part of an outdoor event, but a record has to be comparable with jumps made on other days.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 29.10 to 29.12; TR 17.13; CR 31.17.2 |
| Long jump | The mark is 40 m from the take-off line | TR 29.12 |
| Conditions | Neither the strength of the wind nor a change in its direction is a reason to move or delay the competition | TR 25.20 (note) |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 17.13, 25.4.2, 25.20 and 29.10 to 29.12 and Competition Rule 31.17.2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).