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Denver International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Denver International Airport (DEN · KDEN) is 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and every runway end is standard left traffic.

All of Denver International Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weather

Pattern diagram

Drawn to scale from the FAA NASR runway alignments and the per end right traffic flags — pick a runway to see its pattern. Live wind picks the favored runway when KDEN reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 173°downwind 083°base 353°final 263°45° entry2526070816L34R16R34L17L35R17R35L

RWY 25LEFT traffic

Heading
263° mag · 271° true
Dimensions
12,000 × 150 ft
TPA
6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + MALSR
ILS
ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 111.55 (ERP) · GS 3.00°
CTAF
122.95
More details — RWY 25
Threshold elev
5,355 ft
Markings
precision
Approach obstacle
Pole, 117 ft, 5,100 ft from threshold, 500 ft L of centerline — 41:1 slope to clear
Threshold crossing height
71 ft
TDZ elevation
5,355 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
12,000 / 13,000 / 12,000 / 12,000 ft
End lights
centerline

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 116k, Double wheel 240k, Dual tandem 515k, Double dual tandem 1085k.

Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: FAA runway-end coordinates

Pattern direction by runway

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
07 Left traffic 082° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
25 Left traffic 263° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
08 Left traffic 083° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
26 Left traffic 263° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
16L Left traffic 173° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
34R Left traffic 353° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
16R Left traffic 173° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
34L Left traffic 353° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
17L Left traffic 173° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
35R Left traffic 353° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
17R Left traffic 173° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
35L Left traffic 353° mag 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KDEN; the figure above is the AC 90-66B 1,000 ft AGL convention for propeller aircraft, rounded to the field. Turbine aircraft normally fly 1,500 ft AGL. Headings are the runway alignment; downwind is the reciprocal.

Flying the pattern at KDEN

Denver International Airport is towered, working 124.3. Contact the tower before entering the surface area and fly the pattern you are assigned — the directions below are the charted default when no instruction is given.

All ends are left traffic, which is the FAR 91.126 default — turns to the left unless the field charts otherwise. The full entry procedure is here →

Frequently asked

What is the traffic pattern altitude at KDEN?

Denver International Airport has no traffic pattern altitude published in the FAA NASR data. The AC 90-66B convention for propeller aircraft is 1,000 ft AGL, which works out to roughly 6,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) here — but confirm it against the Chart Supplement before you fly, since a field can have a non standard pattern altitude that NASR does not carry.

Does KDEN have right traffic?

No. All 12 runway ends at Denver International Airport use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KDEN?

Denver International Airport is towered (124.3), so the pattern shown here is the charted default — but the controller's instruction overrides it. Expect straight in approaches, base entries and midfield crossings as traffic dictates.

More about KDEN

Pattern direction and alignment are drawn from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle); the diagram is generated, not an FAA chart. Pattern altitude is shown as published where NASR carries one, otherwise as the AC 90-66B 1,000 ft AGL convention. For planning and education only; always verify against the Chart Supplement.