Frequency & Wavelength Converter
Convert between frequency (hertz, kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz, terahertz) and electromagnetic wavelength in meters, centimeters, micrometers and nanometers.
Convert frequency & wavelength
Result
Frequency & Wavelength units
Every unit below converts to every other one in the calculator. Values are relative to the base unit, the hertz (Hz).
| Unit | Symbol | System | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Hz | SI | Base unit |
| Kilohertz | kHz | SI | = 1000 Hz |
| Megahertz | MHz | SI | = 1000000 Hz |
| Gigahertz | GHz | SI | = 1000000000 Hz |
| Terahertz | THz | SI | = 1000000000000 Hz |
| Wavelength in kilometers | λ km | SI | = 299792.458 Hz |
| Wavelength in meters | λ m | SI | = 299792458 Hz |
| Wavelength in centimeters | λ cm | SI | = 29979245800 Hz |
| Wavelength in millimeters | λ mm | SI | = 299792458000 Hz |
| Wavelength in micrometers | λ µm | SI | = 299792458000000 Hz |
| Wavelength in nanometers | λ nm | SI | = 2.99792458e+17 Hz |
Hertz quick reference
| Hertz | Kilohertz | Megahertz | Gigahertz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hz | = 0.001 kHz | = 0.000001 MHz | = 1e-9 GHz |
| 10 Hz | = 0.01 kHz | = 0.00001 MHz | = 1e-8 GHz |
| 100 Hz | = 0.1 kHz | = 0.0001 MHz | = 1e-7 GHz |
| 1000 Hz | = 1 kHz | = 0.001 MHz | = 0.000001 GHz |
Among the 11 frequency & wavelength units on this page, the smallest is the hertz (Hz) and the largest is the wavelength in nanometers (λ nm).
More frequency & wavelength conversions
- Megahertz to Wavelength in metersMHz → λ m
- Terahertz to Wavelength in nanometersTHz → λ nm
- Wavelength in meters to Megahertzλ m → MHz
- Gigahertz to Wavelength in centimetersGHz → λ cm
- Wavelength in nanometers to Terahertzλ nm → THz
- Kilohertz to MegahertzkHz → MHz
- Megahertz to GigahertzMHz → GHz
- Wavelength in centimeters to Gigahertzλ cm → GHz
- Gigahertz to MegahertzGHz → MHz
- Megahertz to KilohertzMHz → kHz
About frequency & wavelength units
Frequency is the number of cycles per second, measured in hertz (Hz). For electromagnetic waves such as radio, microwaves and light, wavelength in vacuum follows from frequency by λ = c / f, where c is the speed of light, exactly 299,792,458 m/s.
The relationship is reciprocal, not proportional: doubling the frequency halves the wavelength. For example, 100 MHz has a wavelength of about 3 m and 2.4 GHz about 12.5 cm. A handy shortcut for light is wavelength in nm = 299,792.458 ÷ frequency in THz. In air, glass or cable, waves travel slower and wavelengths are shorter than these vacuum values; sound waves follow a different speed entirely.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert frequency to wavelength?
- Divide the speed of light, 299,792,458 m/s, by the frequency in hertz. For example, 1 GHz gives 299,792,458 ÷ 1,000,000,000 ≈ 0.2998 m, or about 30 cm.
- Does this converter work for sound waves?
- No. It uses the speed of light in vacuum, so it applies to electromagnetic waves only. Sound travels far slower, and its speed depends on the medium and temperature.
- How many kilohertz are in one hertz?
- One hertz = 0.001 kHz (kilohertz).
- How many megahertz are in one hertz?
- One hertz = 0.000001 MHz (megahertz).
- How many gigahertz are in one hertz?
- One hertz = 1e-9 GHz (gigahertz).