Purpose This paper aims to numerically investigate the influence of shock wave and freestream turbulence interaction on the parabolic and spherically blunted nose cones at supersonic speed. Design/methodology/approach Using density-based solver, the three-dimensional steady-state simulation is carried out. The working fluid is calorically perfect that obeys ideal gas law and the no-slip boundary conditionis given to the surface of the nose cone. Pressure far-field boundary condition is imposed at the boundary of the computational domain by giving freestream Mach number, freestream static pressure and temperature. Findings The growth rate of the boundary layer is faster on the spherically blunted nose cone, hence, the overall drag force is higher than the parabolic nose cone. Temperature at the edge of the boundary layer is increased due to the early ampli-fication of instabilities by the upstream disturbance. In this sense, the effects of freestream turbulence depend on its level, freestream conditions, strength and type of shock wave and zone of influence. Research limitations/implications Simulations are carried out for the flow Mach number 2.0 at zero angles of attack for the freestream conditions of the flow at an altitude of 10,000 m. Practical implications The phenomenon of shock wave–turbulence interaction occurs in flow regimes from transonic to hypersonic speeds and finds a wide range of applications, especially in the design of aircraft and missiles configurations. Originality/value The phenomenon of compression wave and freestream turbulence interaction around the commonly used nose cones in the case of aircraft, missiles, etc., is investigated. The performance characteristics such as aerodynamic drag, boundary layer dynamics and the nature of flow around the different nose cones at zero angle of attack are illustrated.