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In the answers to this question about wing thickness, there were many references to wing thickness as a percentage (ranging from 6.5% to 13.5%).

What is that a percentage of?

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The wing thickness is basically the distance between the upper and lower surface of the wing (or airfoil).

`Airfoil geometry

Source: NASA.

The wing thickness is usually given as a percentage of the wing (or airfoil) chord(the distance between the leading and trailing edge). This is to make it a non-dimensional quantity for ease of comparison across different scales.

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  • $\begingroup$ The picture really helps with understanding. Thanks. $\endgroup$
    – FreeMan
    Commented Aug 20, 2015 at 16:12
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From the image in the answer you link to:

thickness in percent of chord

and the chord (length) is the distance between leading edge and trailing edge of the airfoil of the wing.

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