Hertz (Hz)
SI unit of frequency: one cycle per second.
What is a hertz?
- Symbol
- Hz
- Quantity
- Frequency & Wavelength
- Unit system
- SI
- Definition
- SI unit of frequency: one cycle per second.
- Exact
- Yes, the value is exact by definition
- Source
- SI Brochure, 9th edition (BIPM, 2019)
Common applications
Used for sound frequencies, mains electricity (50 or 60 Hz), screen refresh rates and any repeating cycle.
Hertz in other frequency & wavelength units
- 1 Hz = 0.001 kHzKilohertz
- 1 Hz = 0.000001 MHzMegahertz
- 1 Hz = 1e-9 GHzGigahertz
- 1 Hz = 1e-12 THzTerahertz
- 1 Hz = 299792.458 λ kmWavelength in kilometers
- 1 Hz = 299792458 λ mWavelength in meters
- 1 Hz = 29979245800 λ cmWavelength in centimeters
- 1 Hz = 299792458000 λ mmWavelength in millimeters
- 1 Hz = 299792458000000 λ µmWavelength in micrometers
- 1 Hz = 2.99792458e+17 λ nmWavelength in nanometers
Hertz quick reference
| Hertz | Megahertz | Wavelength in meters | Kilohertz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hz | = 0.000001 MHz | = 299792458 λ m | = 0.001 kHz |
| 10 Hz | = 0.00001 MHz | = 29979245.8 λ m | = 0.01 kHz |
| 100 Hz | = 0.0001 MHz | = 2997924.58 λ m | = 0.1 kHz |
| 1000 Hz | = 0.001 MHz | = 299792.458 λ m | = 1 kHz |
Where the hertz fits
The next larger frequency & wavelength unit is the kilohertz (kHz). 1 Hz = 0.001 kHz, and 1 kHz = 1000 Hz.
Frequently asked questions
- How many megahertz are in one hertz?
- One hertz = 0.000001 MHz (megahertz).
- How many meters of wavelength are in one hertz?
- One hertz = 299792458 λ m (meters of wavelength).
- How many kilohertz are in one hertz?
- One hertz = 0.001 kHz (kilohertz).