VFR cruising altitudes14 CFR 91.159 VFR cruising altitude or flight level
In VFR level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface and below 18,000 feet MSL, fly an odd thousand plus 500 feet on magnetic courses of 0 through 179 degrees and an even thousand plus 500 feet on magnetic courses of 180 through 359 degrees, unless ATC authorizes otherwise.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Applies to VFR level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface, unless otherwise authorized by ATC (opening sentence).
- Magnetic course of 0 through 179 degrees: any odd thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet, such as 3,500, 5,500 or 7,500 (a)(1).
- Magnetic course of 180 through 359 degrees: any even thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet, such as 4,500, 6,500 or 8,500 (a)(2).
- Above 18,000 feet MSL: the altitude or flight level assigned by ATC (b).
- The rule does not apply while turning or while holding in a holding pattern of 2 minutes or less (opening sentence).
In plain English
Section 91.159 assigns VFR cruising altitudes by direction of flight so that traffic going opposite ways is separated by altitude. It applies only in level cruising flight under VFR more than 3,000 feet above the surface. It does not apply while turning, while holding in a holding pattern of 2 minutes or less, or when ATC authorizes something else.
Below 18,000 feet MSL the choice depends on your magnetic course. On a magnetic course of 0 through 179 degrees you fly an odd thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet, such as 3,500, 5,500 or 7,500 (a)(1). On a magnetic course of 180 through 359 degrees you fly an even thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet, such as 4,500, 6,500 or 8,500 (a)(2).
Two different references are in play. Whether the rule applies at all is measured from the surface (more than 3,000 feet above it), but the altitudes you choose are MSL. Above 18,000 feet MSL, paragraph (b) says to maintain the altitude or flight level assigned by ATC. IFR cruising altitudes are covered separately in 91.179.
Common mistakes
- Using magnetic heading or true course. The rule is based on magnetic course (a).
- Applying the rule at 3,000 feet MSL instead of more than 3,000 feet above the surface. Over high terrain the rule starts only at a correspondingly higher MSL altitude.
- Forgetting the extra 500 feet. VFR cruising altitudes are odd or even thousands plus 500 feet (a).
The official text
14 CFR 91.159 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
Except while holding in a holding pattern of 2 minutes or less, or while turning, each person operating an aircraft under VFR in level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface shall maintain the appropriate altitude or flight level prescribed below, unless otherwise authorized by ATC:
(a) When operating below 18,000 feet MSL and—
(1) On a magnetic course of zero degrees through 179 degrees, any odd thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 3,500, 5,500, or 7,500); or
(2) On a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, any even thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 4,500, 6,500, or 8,500).
(b) When operating above 18,000 feet MSL, maintain the altitude or flight level assigned by ATC.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 91.159.
Recreational Pilot
When flying VFR in level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet AGL on a magnetic course of 090°, the appropriate altitude is:
- A. an odd thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet.
- B. an even thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet.
- C. an odd thousand foot MSL altitude.
- D. any altitude at the pilot's discretion.
Show answer
A. an odd thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet. Magnetic course 0° through 179° gets odd thousands plus 500; 180° through 359° gets even thousands plus 500. The rule applies only above 3,000 feet AGL: "east is odd, west is even, plus five hundred either way."
More Recreational Pilot practice →Instrument Rating
When cleared to maintain 'VFR-on-top' on a magnetic course of 170° (below 18,000 ft), an appropriate altitude would be:
- A. an odd thousand plus 500 feet (e.g., 5,500 ft).
- B. an even thousand plus 500 feet (e.g., 6,500 ft).
- C. any even thousand (e.g., 6,000 ft).
- D. any altitude the pilot prefers.
Show answer
A. an odd thousand plus 500 feet (e.g., 5,500 ft). VFR-on-top requires VFR cruising altitudes appropriate to the magnetic course (91.159): 0°–179° use odd thousands + 500. A 170° course therefore uses odd + 500 (e.g., 5,500 ft), while remaining clear of clouds.
More Instrument Rating practice →
Questions pilots ask
What altitude should I fly VFR on an eastbound course?
On a magnetic course of 0 through 179 degrees, any odd thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet, such as 3,500, 5,500 or 7,500, when in level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface (91.159(a)(1)).
What altitude should I fly VFR on a westbound course?
On a magnetic course of 180 through 359 degrees, any even thousand foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet, such as 4,500, 6,500 or 8,500 (91.159(a)(2)).
Do VFR cruising altitudes apply below 3,000 feet?
The rule applies to VFR level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface (91.159). At or below 3,000 feet above the surface this section does not assign an altitude, though the minimum safe altitudes in 91.119 still apply.