Symmetric airfoil: An airfoil is a cross-sectional shape of a wing. A symmetric airfoil has same shape on both sides of the centerline which is chord. Mean camber line of an airfoil is the line that is halfway between the upper surface and lower surface of the airfoil. So, the mean camber line and chord line of a symmetric airfoil will be the same. Hence, camber of a symmetric airfoil will be zero. A symmetric airfoil in an airflow at zero degree angle of attack does not produce any lift. Also, the aerodynamic center and center of pressure lies at the same point on the airfoil. Symmetric airfoils are used in helicopter rotors and in the wings of an aerobatic aircraft. Aerobatic aircraft need to generate lift in spinning or when the aircraft is flying inverted. Horizontal and vertical tails of an aircraft have a symmetric airfoil.

Asymmetric airfoil / Cambered airfoil : An airfoil which has a camber is called an asymmetric or a cambered airfoil. Camber of an airfoil is a measure of airfoil curvature. For a cambered airfoil, the mean camber line and the chord line is different. An airfoil can have a positive camber or a negative camber. Generally, an airfoil has a positive camber which means the mean camber line is above the chord line. An airfoil having a positive camber is more convex. A cambered airfoil can produce lift even at zero degree angle of attack in an airflow. Aerodynamic center and center of pressure does not lie at the same point in a cambered airfoil. Cambered airfoil produces more lift and less drag than a symmetrical airfoil, given at the same density, airspeed, and angle of attack. Therefore, all aircraft generally uses an cambered airfoil. Aircraft designers can vary the camber along the wing span to give different lift characteristics which may be used to improve stall condition or stall recovery. Cambered airfoils are also used in a propeller blade.