Chicago O'Hare International traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Chicago O'Hare International (ORD · KORD) is 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and every runway end is standard left traffic. · Open on the map

All of Chicago O'Hare International — 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 KORD reports it.

RWY 10LLEFT traffic

Heading: 093° mag · 090° true
Dimensions: 13,000 × 150 ft
TPA: 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: ASPH-CONC
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + ALSF2
ILS: ILS/DME · CAT III · LOC 111.1 (MED) · GS 3.00°
CTAF: 122.95

More details — RWY 10L

Threshold elev: 672 ft
Markings: precision
Threshold crossing height: 74 ft
TDZ elevation: 672 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA: 13,000 / 13,000 / 13,000 / 12,246 ft
End lights: centerline, TDZ

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 120k, Double wheel 250k, Dual tandem 550k, Double dual tandem 1118k.

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

Pattern direction by runway

Runway	Pattern	Heading	Pattern altitude
10L	Left traffic	093° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
28R	Left traffic	273° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
09R	Left traffic	093° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
27L	Left traffic	273° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
09C	Left traffic	093° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
27C	Left traffic	273° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
10C	Left traffic	093° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
28C	Left traffic	273° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
04R	Left traffic	045° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
22L	Left traffic	225° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
04L	Left traffic	042° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
22R	Left traffic	222° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
09L	Left traffic	093° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
27R	Left traffic	273° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
10R	Left traffic	093° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
28L	Left traffic	273° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KORD; 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 KORD

Chicago O'Hare International is towered, working 120.75. 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 KORD?

Chicago O'Hare International 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 1,700 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 KORD have right traffic?

No. All 16 runway ends at Chicago O'Hare International use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KORD?

Chicago O'Hare International is towered (120.75), 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 KORD

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.

Something here wrong or out of date? Report a data problem.