You can track planes overhead using free websites that show live flight data

The easiest way to see what is flying above you is to visit Flightradar24.com or ADS-B Exchange in your web browser. Both sites display a live map of aircraft in the sky, updated every few seconds. You enter your location or zoom to your area, and the map shows you every plane currently airborne in that region, along with its flight number, altitude, speed, and destination.

Flightradar24 is the most popular option and works on phones and computers. It shows commercial flights, private jets, and helicopters. The free version displays most of the information you need. ADS-B Exchange is another free option that covers similar territory and is often used by aviation enthusiasts because it includes more military and private aircraft than Flightradar24 does.

Both services work because aircraft broadcast their location constantly using a system called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). Ground receivers pick up these signals and feed them to the websites. This is why you can see the data for free — it is public information that the aircraft themselves are sending out.

Key Takeaways

  • Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange are free websites that show live positions of planes overhead, updated every few seconds.
  • You can see the flight number, altitude, speed, and destination of most aircraft by clicking on them on the map.
  • Both services work because planes broadcast their location publicly using ADS-B, a standard aviation system.
  • Mobile apps for both services let you track planes from your phone without opening a browser.
  • Military aircraft and some private planes may not appear on these maps because they can disable their ADS-B transmitters.

How to use Flightradar24 to find planes above you

Go to Flightradar24.com and the map will load centered on your location if you allow the browser to access it. If you do not grant permission, you can type your city or address into the search box at the top left. The map shows every aircraft in range as a small airplane icon with a label showing the flight number.

Click on any plane icon to see more details: the airline, aircraft type, altitude in feet, ground speed, direction of travel, and where it is headed. You can also see the flight's path as a line on the map showing where it came from and where it is going. Some flights show a history of the route it has already flown.

The free version has a slight delay — usually 5 to 10 seconds behind real time — but you will still see planes as they pass overhead. Paid subscriptions remove the delay and add features like 3D views and historical flight tracking, but the free version is enough to answer what is flying above you right now.

What information you can see about each flight

When you click a plane on the map, a panel opens showing the flight number (like "United 447"), the aircraft type (like "Boeing 737"), and the airline. You also see the current altitude in feet, the ground speed in knots or kilometers per hour, and the direction the plane is heading.

The destination airport code appears on the panel, along with the departure airport if that information is available. Some flights show the estimated time of arrival. You can also see whether the plane is climbing, descending, or cruising at a steady altitude.

The map itself shows the flight's route as a line. If the plane has been in the air for a while, you can see the path it has already traveled. This is useful if you heard a plane and want to know where it came from and where it is going.

Why some planes do not show up on tracking maps

Military aircraft, government planes, and some private jets do not appear on Flightradar24 or ADS-B Exchange. These aircraft can disable their ADS-B transmitters or use military variants of the system that broadcast on different frequencies. If you see a plane overhead but cannot find it on the map, it is likely a military or government aircraft.

Some private aircraft also choose not to broadcast their location for privacy reasons. A few commercial flights may have their data blocked by the airline or the country they are flying over, though this is less common in the United States and Europe.

If you are tracking a specific flight and it disappears from the map, it may have landed, climbed above the range of ground receivers, or switched off its transmitter. Commercial flights almost always keep their transmitters on during flight, so disappearance usually means the plane has touched down.

Using mobile apps to track planes on your phone

Both Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange offer free mobile apps for iPhone and Android. The Flightradar24 app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It works the same way as the website but is optimized for a phone screen and lets you track planes while you are away from your computer.

The app will ask permission to access your location. Grant it, and the map will center on where you are standing. You can tap any plane to see its details, and the app updates in real time as planes move across the sky.

The free mobile app has the same slight delay as the website version. If you want to remove the delay and unlock extra features, you can pay for a subscription within the app, but the free version shows you everything you need to identify planes overhead.

Why planes fly over your house and how to predict them

Planes fly over your house because they are following established flight paths called airways. These routes connect airports and are designed to keep air traffic organized and safe. If your home is near a major airport or under a common flight path, you will see planes regularly at certain times of day.

Flight patterns change based on wind direction, runway in use, and air traffic volume. Planes taking off often climb in a specific direction depending on which runway is active. Planes landing follow a descent path that may be different from the takeoff path. You can use Flightradar24 to see these patterns over several days and predict when planes will pass overhead.

If you live very close to an airport, you may see the same routes multiple times per hour during peak travel times. Early morning and late afternoon usually see the most traffic. Weekends and holidays often have fewer flights than weekdays.

Other tools for tracking aircraft

RadarBox is another free flight tracking website similar to Flightradar24. It shows live aircraft positions and has a mobile app. Some users prefer it because it includes more detail about aircraft history and can track planes by tail number if you want to follow a specific aircraft over time.

OpenSky Network is a free platform run by researchers and aviation enthusiasts. It displays ADS-B data and is often used by people who want to read historical flight data or build their own tracking tools. The interface is less polished than Flightradar24, but the data is reliable and completely free.

If you want to receive alerts when specific flights pass over your location, Flightradar24 offers a notification feature in its paid subscription. You can set up alerts for certain airlines, aircraft types, or flight numbers, and the app will notify you when they are near your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see military planes on these tracking websites?

Most military aircraft do not broadcast on the standard ADS-B frequency that Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange monitor. Some military planes use their own radar systems or disable their transmitters. Occasionally a military transport plane will show up on the map, but fighter jets and classified aircraft almost never do.

Is it legal to track planes flying over my house?

Yes. The flight data these websites display is public information that aircraft broadcast themselves. You are not hacking anything or accessing private data. Flightradar24 and similar services operate legally in most countries and have partnerships with aviation authorities.

Why does the plane I am looking at on the map not match the sound I hear?

Sound travels slowly compared to the speed of planes. A jet flying at 500 miles per hour will be several miles away by the time you hear it. The plane you hear overhead may have already passed the point where it appears on the map. Look ahead of the sound, not directly above you.

Can I track a specific plane by its tail number?

Yes, on Flightradar24 and RadarBox. Enter the tail number (usually visible on the fuselage) into the search box, and the website will show you that aircraft's current location and flight history. This works best for commercial aircraft, which are registered and tracked by aviation authorities.

Do I need to pay to see planes overhead?

No. Flightradar24, ADS-B Exchange, and RadarBox all offer free versions that show live aircraft positions with no payment required. Paid subscriptions remove delays and add features, but the free version answers your question about what is flying above you right now.