Frequency Calculator
Convert between frequency units (Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz), calculate wavelength and period, and identify radio bands. Essential for electronics, radio, and physics applications.
Frequency Converter
Conversion Results
Radio Band
Enter a frequency to identify bandQuick Reference
Common UK Frequencies
WiFi 2.4 GHz
WiFi 5 GHz
UK FM Radio
UK 5G (mid-band)
Bluetooth
UK DAB Radio
Key Formulas
Speed of Sound (20°C): 343 m/s
Electromagnetic Spectrum Reference
The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from radio waves with very long wavelengths to gamma rays with extremely short wavelengths. Understanding frequency bands is essential for radio communications, physics, and electronics.
| Band | Frequency Range | Wavelength | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELF (Extremely Low) | 3-30 Hz | 100,000-10,000 km | Submarine communications |
| VLF (Very Low) | 3-30 kHz | 100-10 km | Navigation, time signals |
| LF (Low Frequency) | 30-300 kHz | 10-1 km | AM longwave radio, navigation |
| MF (Medium Frequency) | 300 kHz - 3 MHz | 1000-100 m | AM radio broadcasting |
| HF (High Frequency) | 3-30 MHz | 100-10 m | Shortwave radio, amateur radio |
| VHF (Very High) | 30-300 MHz | 10-1 m | FM radio, TV, DAB, aviation |
| UHF (Ultra High) | 300 MHz - 3 GHz | 1 m - 10 cm | TV, mobile phones, WiFi, GPS |
| SHF (Super High) | 3-30 GHz | 10-1 cm | Satellite, radar, 5G, WiFi 5GHz |
| EHF (Extremely High) | 30-300 GHz | 10-1 mm | 5G mmWave, radio astronomy |
| Infrared | 300 GHz - 400 THz | 1 mm - 750 nm | Remote controls, thermal imaging |
| Visible Light | 400-800 THz | 750-380 nm | Human vision, fibre optics |
UK WiFi Channel Frequencies
Understanding WiFi channel frequencies helps optimise wireless network performance. The UK allows channels 1-13 on 2.4 GHz (unlike the US which stops at channel 11).
2.4 GHz Band (802.11b/g/n)
| Channel | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency (MHz) | 2412 | 2417 | 2422 | 2427 | 2432 | 2437 | 2442 | 2447 | 2452 | 2457 | 2462 | 2467 | 2472 |
5 GHz Band (802.11a/n/ac/ax)
The 5 GHz band offers more channels and less interference but shorter range. In the UK, available channels depend on whether indoor or outdoor use and DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) requirements.
| Channel Group | Channels | Frequency Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNII-1 | 36, 40, 44, 48 | 5.180-5.240 GHz | Indoor use, no DFS required |
| UNII-2A | 52, 56, 60, 64 | 5.260-5.320 GHz | DFS required (radar detection) |
| UNII-2C | 100-140 | 5.500-5.700 GHz | DFS required, some outdoor use |
| UNII-3 | 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 | 5.745-5.825 GHz | Indoor/outdoor, no DFS |
UK Radio Frequency Allocations (Ofcom)
Radio frequency spectrum in the UK is managed by Ofcom. Here are common frequency allocations:
| Service | Frequency Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FM Radio | 87.5 - 108 MHz | BBC Radio 1 (97-99 MHz), Classic FM (100-102 MHz) |
| DAB Digital Radio | 174 - 240 MHz | VHF Band III, nationwide multiplexes |
| Freeview TV (DTT) | 470 - 694 MHz | UHF channels 21-48 (reduced from 60) |
| PMR446 (Walkie-Talkies) | 446 MHz | License-free, 500mW max power |
| 4G LTE | 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 MHz | Various operators have different allocations |
| 5G (Sub-6 GHz) | 700 MHz, 3.4-3.8 GHz | 3.4-3.8 GHz is primary 5G band |
| 5G mmWave | 26 GHz | High speed, very short range |
| Amateur Radio (2m) | 144 - 146 MHz | Requires Ofcom amateur radio licence |
| Amateur Radio (70cm) | 430 - 440 MHz | Requires Ofcom amateur radio licence |
| GPS | 1575.42 MHz (L1) | Global Positioning System |
Audio Frequency Reference
Sound frequency determines pitch. Understanding audio frequencies is essential for music, audio engineering, and hearing health.
Human Hearing Range
| Range | Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Infrasound | Below 20 Hz | Below human hearing (felt as vibration) |
| Bass | 20 - 250 Hz | Low frequencies, bass instruments, kick drums |
| Low-Mid | 250 - 500 Hz | Warmth, body of instruments |
| Midrange | 500 Hz - 2 kHz | Vocals, most instrument fundamentals |
| Upper-Mid | 2 - 4 kHz | Presence, clarity, speech intelligibility |
| Treble | 4 - 20 kHz | Brilliance, air, cymbals, harmonics |
| Ultrasound | Above 20 kHz | Above human hearing (medical imaging, pest repellers) |
Musical Note Frequencies (A4 = 440 Hz)
A4 (Concert Pitch)
Middle C (C4)
Low E (Guitar)
Bass Drum
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequency is the number of complete cycles of a wave that occur per second. It's measured in Hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz equals one cycle per second. Higher frequencies include kilohertz (kHz = 1,000 Hz), megahertz (MHz = 1,000,000 Hz), gigahertz (GHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz), and terahertz (THz = 1,000,000,000,000 Hz).
Wavelength equals the speed of the wave divided by frequency: λ = v/f. For electromagnetic waves in air/vacuum, use the speed of light: wavelength (m) = 299,792,458 m/s ÷ frequency (Hz). For sound in air at 20°C, use 343 m/s. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength.
UK WiFi operates on three bands: 2.4 GHz (channels 1-13, 2.412-2.472 GHz), 5 GHz (channels 36-165, 5.180-5.825 GHz), and the newer 6 GHz band (WiFi 6E, 5.925-7.125 GHz). The 2.4 GHz band offers better range but slower speeds and more interference, while 5 GHz and 6 GHz provide faster speeds but shorter range.
The typical human hearing range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Frequencies below 20 Hz are called infrasound and can be felt as vibrations. Those above 20 kHz are ultrasound, used in medical imaging and by some animals. Hearing ability typically decreases with age, especially at higher frequencies - many adults can't hear above 15-16 kHz.
UK 5G networks use several frequency bands allocated by Ofcom: 700 MHz (better coverage for rural areas), 3.4-3.8 GHz (the main 5G band balancing speed and coverage), and 26 GHz mmWave (very high speeds but limited range). Each mobile operator (EE, Vodafone, Three, O2) has specific allocations within these bands.
Frequency and period are inversely related. Period (T) is the time for one complete cycle, measured in seconds. Frequency (f) is cycles per second in Hz. The relationship is: T = 1/f and f = 1/T. For example, a 1,000 Hz signal has a period of 0.001 seconds (1 millisecond), while a 1 Hz signal has a 1 second period.
UK FM radio broadcasts between 87.5 MHz and 108 MHz in the VHF band. Major stations include BBC Radio 1 (97-99 MHz across the UK), BBC Radio 2 (88-91 MHz), BBC Radio 4 (92-95 MHz), and Classic FM (100-102 MHz). Exact frequencies vary by location. DAB digital radio uses 174-240 MHz (Band III).
To convert MHz to GHz, divide by 1,000. For example, 2,400 MHz = 2.4 GHz. Conversely, to convert GHz to MHz, multiply by 1,000, so 5.8 GHz = 5,800 MHz. To convert to Hz, multiply MHz by 1,000,000 or GHz by 1,000,000,000. Our calculator handles all these conversions automatically.
Related Calculators
Last updated: February 2026 | UK Ofcom frequency allocations current as of 2024
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Our Frequency Calculator provides:
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- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
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