lift coefficient

This term is a specialized technical parameter used primarily in aerodynamics and fluid dynamics. It serves as a normalized value, allowing engineers to compare the lifting efficiency of different wing shapes or foil profiles regardless of their actual size or the speed of the airflow.

Because it is a dimensionless quantity, it does not have a unit of measurement. In professional discourse, it is typically denoted by the symbol Cl (for a section) or CL (for the entire aircraft), and is plotted against the angle of attack to create a lift curve, which is critical for determining the stall point of an aircraft.