ASCE 7-10 and ASCE 7-22 Wind Speed Data for Commercial Flagpoles
Use this free flagpole wind speed chart to look up ASCE 7-10 and ASCE 7-22 wind speeds for all 41,375 U.S. zip codes, with flagpole rating recommendations per NAAMM FP 1001-07. The tool also flags local building code requirements in New York City, three South Florida counties, and the Texas Windstorm zone. Built by FlagCo, a veteran-owned manufacturer in Acworth, Georgia.
How the Wind Speed Tool Works
Enter a zip code, city name, or street address into the flagpole wind speed chart above. The tool searches a database of all 41,375 U.S. zip codes and returns three things for your location: the ASCE 7-10 basic wind speed (the value most of the flagpole industry still references), the ASCE 7-22 basic wind speed (the current edition of the standard), and, where a local building code sets a stricter requirement, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) override. The tool converts all three to the same NAAMM FP 1001-07 rating basis and recommends the highest one that applies to your site. Results are displayed on an interactive color-coded map with a downloadable PDF report.
Zip Code Lookup
Every U.S. zip code has a mapped wind speed value. Search by zip, city, or address and get an exact result, not a regional estimate.
Interactive Map
Color-coded overlay built from Census Bureau zip code boundaries. Pan, zoom, and click anywhere on the map to see the wind speed for that area.
Rating Recommendation
Automatically converts ASCE 7-10 and ASCE 7-22 wind speeds to a NAAMM FP 1001-07 flagpole rating (85, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 150, or 170 mph), then recommends the higher of the two.
Local Code (AHJ) Detection
Checks 751 zip codes across six jurisdictions (New York City, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Collier counties in Florida, and the Texas Windstorm zone) for a local wind speed requirement stricter than the ASCE base map, and cites the exact code section.
Special Wind Regions
Detects ASCE 7-10 Special Wind Regions (mountains, gorges, ocean promontories) and warns when site-specific verification is recommended.
PDF Report
Generate a branded wind speed report with the location, wind speed, recommended rating, and Special Wind Region status. Save or print for project files.
Full U.S. Coverage
CONUS, Alaska (dedicated inset map), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa are all included.
Why FlagCo Uses ASCE 7-10 Wind Speed Data
Most flagpole manufacturers reference the ASCE 7-05 wind speed map published in NAAMM FP 1001-07. That map is based on a hurricane simulation model developed in 1998 using the data and measurement technology available at the time.
FlagCo's Wind Speed Tool uses data from ASCE 7-10, the next edition of the standard. ASCE 7-10 incorporates over a decade of additional hurricane data, readings from dropsonde instruments that did not exist when the original model was built, and improved computer modeling of how storms weaken as they move inland. The result is more accurate wind speed values, particularly along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard where wind loads are highest and getting the right flagpole rating matters most. For non-hurricane regions, the values are nearly identical to ASCE 7-05.
Both standards use the same measurement format: a 3-second gust at 33 feet above ground. FlagCo's ratings still follow the same NAAMM FP 1001-07 thresholds (85, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 150, 170 mph) used across the industry. The data is more current; the rating system is the same.
Typical Manufacturer Maps (ASCE 7-05)
- Hurricane model from 1998
- Simplified regional color zones
- Hand-drawn approximate boundaries
- No zip-code-level precision
- Static image (not interactive)
FlagCo Wind Speed Tool (ASCE 7-10)
- Updated hurricane data through 2010
- 41,375 individual zip code values
- Census Bureau zip code boundaries
- Exact match between map and lookup
- Interactive map with search and PDF export
Flagpole Wind Speed Chart: Map Color Scale
The interactive map uses a color scale to represent ASCE 7-10 basic wind speeds across the continental U.S. and Alaska. Each color band corresponds to a NAAMM FP 1001-07 flagpole rating threshold. The flagpole wind speed chart below shows the color coding used on the map and how each range maps to a standard rating.
NAAMM FP 1001-07 Rating Thresholds
The Wind Speed Tool converts ASCE 7-10 wind speed values to NAAMM flagpole ratings using a ceiling-based system. If the wind speed at your location falls between two thresholds, the tool recommends the next higher rating to ensure the pole meets or exceeds the local requirement.
| ASCE 7-10 Wind Speed | Flagpole Rating (NAAMM) | Typical Regions |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 85 mph | 85 mph | Interior Midwest, Northern Plains, Mountain West |
| 86 - 90 mph | 90 mph | Interior Southeast, Central states, Pacific Northwest |
| 91 - 100 mph | 100 mph | Mid-Atlantic, portions of Texas and the Southeast |
| 101 - 110 mph | 110 mph | Coastal Mid-Atlantic, Western Gulf Coast |
| 111 - 120 mph | 120 mph | Eastern Gulf Coast, Outer Banks, Hawaii |
| 121 - 130 mph | 130 mph | Southern Florida, Louisiana coast, hurricane corridors |
| 131 - 150 mph | 150 mph | Southeast Florida, coastal Carolinas, Mississippi coast |
| > 150 mph | 170 mph | South Florida coast, Florida Keys, extreme hurricane zones |
ASCE 7-22 and Local Code (AHJ) Overrides
ASCE 7-22 is the current edition of the wind speed standard. It reports ultimate, strength-design wind speeds on a 700-year mean recurrence interval, not the 50-year, allowable-stress-design (ASD) basis that ASCE 7-10 and the NAAMM FP 1001-07 rating tables use. The two raw numbers are not directly comparable. A location's ASCE 7-22 speed will read higher than its ASCE 7-10 speed even where the actual design requirement is unchanged.
FlagCo's Wind Speed Tool converts both standards to the same NAAMM flagpole rating basis using the ASCE factor of 0.7746 (the square root of 0.6), so the 7-10 rating and the 7-22 rating can be compared directly. The tool shows both ratings, plus a Local Code Requirement box for any zip code inside a jurisdiction that has adopted a wind speed requirement stricter than either ASCE map. The Recommendation is always the highest of the three values that apply to a given site.
| Jurisdiction | Zip Codes Covered | Code Citation | Code Wind Speed | Required NAAMM Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 378 | NYC BC Section 1609.3 | 120 mph | 100 mph |
| Miami-Dade County, FL | 172 | FBC Section 1620.2 (HVHZ) | 175 mph | 150 mph |
| Broward County, FL | 54 | FBC Section 1620.2 (HVHZ) | 170 mph | 150 mph |
| Collier County, FL | 23 | FBC R301.2(7) | 170 mph | 150 mph |
| Texas Windstorm, Tier I | 50 | TDI 28 TAC Ch. 5, Subchapter E | 150 mph | 120 mph |
| Texas Windstorm, Tier II | 74 | TDI 28 TAC Ch. 5, Subchapter E | 140 mph | 110 mph |
For Architects and Specifiers
If you are writing a flagpole specification for a commercial project, start here to determine the wind speed at your project site. The Wind Speed Tool returns the data you need for CSI Section 107500 specifications: the ASCE 7-10 basic wind speed and the corresponding NAAMM FP 1001-07 flagpole rating.
Wind Speeds for Major U.S. Cities
The table below lists reference wind speeds for selected U.S. cities based on ASCE 7-10 data. For exact values at any zip code, use the flagpole wind speed chart above. Wind speeds vary within metro areas; always look up your specific project location.
| City | State | Wind Speed (mph) | Flagpole Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | AK | 104.5 | 110 mph |
| Atlanta | GA | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Boston | MA | 96.6 | 100 mph |
| Charleston | SC | 100.0 | 100 mph |
| Chicago | IL | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Dallas | TX | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Denver | CO | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Detroit | MI | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Honolulu | HI | 67.0 | 85 mph |
| Houston | TX | 103.7 | 110 mph |
| Indianapolis | IN | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Jacksonville | FL | 94.2 | 100 mph |
| Kansas City | MO | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Las Vegas | NV | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Los Angeles | CA | 85.0 | 85 mph |
| Miami | FL | 127.7 | 130 mph |
| Minneapolis | MN | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Mobile | AL | 111.3 | 120 mph |
| Nashville | TN | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| New Orleans | LA | 108.3 | 110 mph |
| New York | NY | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Pensacola | FL | 111.2 | 120 mph |
| Philadelphia | PA | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Phoenix | AZ | 90.0 | 90 mph |
| Portland | OR | 85.0 | 85 mph |
| San Diego | CA | 85.0 | 85 mph |
| San Francisco | CA | 85.0 | 85 mph |
| Savannah | GA | 93.4 | 100 mph |
| Seattle | WA | 85.0 | 85 mph |
| Tampa | FL | 106.5 | 110 mph |
| Virginia Beach | VA | 92.4 | 100 mph |
| Washington | DC | 90.0 | 90 mph |
Flagpole Height, Set Depth, and Flag Size Reference
Use this table to determine the foundation set depth, overall pole length, and recommended flag size for your pole height. Set depths follow NAAMM FP 1001-07 standards for ground-set installations. All ground-set poles include a steel ground sleeve with a factory-welded grounding provision.
| Exposed Height (ft) | Set Depth (ft) | Overall Length (ft) | Recommended Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 2 | 17 | 3' x 5' |
| 20 | 2 | 22 | 4' x 6' |
| 25 | 2.5 | 27.5 | 5' x 8' |
| 30 | 3 | 33 | 6' x 10' |
| 35 | 3.5 | 38.5 | 6' x 10' |
| 40 | 4 | 44 | 8' x 12' |
| 45 | 4.5 | 49.5 | 8' x 12' |
| 50 | 5 | 55 | 10' x 15' |
| 60 | 6 | 66 | 12' x 18' |
| 70 | 7 | 77 | 12' x 18' |
| 80 | 8 | 88 | 15' x 25' |
Nylon vs. Polyester Flags: Wind Load Impact
All published flagpole wind ratings reference a nylon flag in the NAAMM recommended size. Polyester flags are heavier and produce higher wind loads on the pole. If your project specifies polyester, the effective wind rating of the pole is reduced. Contact FlagCo for adjusted ratings when flying polyester flags.
| Characteristic | Nylon | Polyester |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lighter (industry standard for wind load calculations) | Heavier (approximately 30-50% more than nylon) |
| Wind Load on Pole | Standard (all NAAMM ratings reference nylon) | Higher (heavier fabric catches more wind force) |
| Durability in Sun | Good; fades faster in intense UV | Better; resists UV degradation longer |
| Wet Performance | Dries quickly; flies well in light wind | Heavier when wet; needs more wind to fly |
| Best For | Most commercial installations; standard recommendation | High-UV locations; coastal areas with sustained wind |
| Wind Rating Impact | No adjustment needed | Consult manufacturer for adjusted pole ratings |
How to Choose the Right Flagpole for Your Wind Zone
Selecting a commercial flagpole starts with knowing your local wind speed. Use the flagpole wind speed chart to find your rating, then follow these steps to determine the right pole for your project.
Step 1: Find Your Wind Speed
Enter your project zip code into the Wind Speed Tool above. It returns the ASCE 7-10 basic wind speed and NAAMM FP 1001-07 flagpole rating for your location. If you are in a Special Wind Region, verify the requirement with your local building department.
Step 2: Determine Pole Height
Commercial flagpoles range from 15 to 80 feet. Consider the height of surrounding buildings, visibility from the road, and whether multiple flags will be flown on separate poles. Taller poles require larger foundations and heavier hardware.
Step 3: Select Pole Type
Choose External Halyard (stationary or revolving) for standard installations, Internal Winch for taller poles and high-security locations, or Internal Cam Cleat for a cost-effective internal option on shorter poles.
Step 4: Confirm Wall Thickness and Diameter
Larger butt diameters and thicker walls increase wind capacity. A pole must be rated at or above your location's wind speed with a nylon flag attached. Use FlagCo's Cut Sheet Builder to see available configurations and their exact wind ratings.
Step 5: Choose Flag Material
Nylon is the standard for most installations and is the baseline for all published wind ratings. Polyester lasts longer in high-UV environments but produces higher wind loads on the pole. If you choose polyester, verify that the pole is still adequately rated.
Step 6: Generate Your Specification
Use FlagCo's Cut Sheet Builder to configure your pole and download a branded cut sheet, or use the Interactive Specification Builder to generate a CSI Section 107500 specification for your project documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the flagpole wind speed chart, the ASCE 7-10 standard, and how to use this tool.
