The drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity which quantifies the resistance of the water surface. Due to the fact that the drag coefficient depends on the past of the wind, the drag coefficient is expressed differently for different time and spatial scales. A general expression for the drag coefficient does not yet exist and the value is unknown for unsteady and non-ideal conditions. In general, the drag coefficient increases with increasing wind speed and is greater for shallower waters.
The geostrophic drag coefficient is expressed as:
where  is the geostrophic wind which is given by:
In global climate models, often a drag coefficient appropriate for a spatial scale of 1° by 1° and a monthly time scale is used. In such a timescale, the wind can strongly fluctuate. The monthly mean shear stress can be expressed as:
where  is the density,  is the drag coefficient,  is the monthly mean wind and U' is the fluctuation from the monthly mean.