What do the runway numbers mean?

I know a bit about commercial planes, airports etc but I am yet to figure out what the runway numbers mean.





are they just given random numbers...or are the given a particular number for a reason?





I have been off Runway's numbered anwhere like 1, 18, 99, 28 etc...What do the runway numbers mean?
The numbering of runways is not random at all - it is the heading that runway is facing. Consider an airport with a runway 28. This would mean that the heading is between 275 and 284. Rounding up or down will get you 28.





If there is more than one runway at the airport facing the exact same heading (parallel runways - example: Heathrow), then they'll be named runway xxL and runway xxR - Heathrow has runways 9L and 9R (L = left | R = right).





Somtimes, C is used which means centre.What do the runway numbers mean?
The runway number refers to the compass heading you are on when landing or taking off from that runway. Runway 18 is a compass heading of 180 degrees or southbound. If you are coming in from the opposite direction the same runway will be numbered 36 for 360 degrees or North.
Those large numbers on runways indicate the heading (..azimuth..) of the runway. For example, ';18'; would be 180 degrees, etc.,.
I agree with the 1st person. Runway 99? Mabye you saw runway 9 R


Which means there is a runway 9 L but they run parallel to each other.
I have no idea how you saw a runway 99.





0-36 is what you will see
wouldn't 0 and 36 be the same? Its actually 01 thru 36