The turn coordinator is an advanced development of the earlier turn indicator. It is similar to the turn indicator instrument, except that its single gimbal is raised at the front by 30 degrees so that the instrument is sensitive to both roll and yaw, and it begins to indicate a turn as soon as the roll-in begins.

However, the turn coordinator only indicates rate 1 turns accurately and should not be confused with an artificial horizon because it displays no attitude information. A warning, "No Attitude Information," is often written on the instrument face.