Wavelength to Frequency Calculator for Electromagnetic Waves in a Vacuum

Calculate Frequency of EM Wave in a Vacuum
Wavelength (λ) [?]

Frequency (f) [?]

Click save settings to reload page with unique web page address for bookmarking and sharing the current tool settings, or click flip tool to reverse the tool function with current settings

✕ clear settings

Switch tool with the current settings for wavelength (λ) or frequency (f), and calculate photon energy (E) or the the time taken (T) for an em wave to complete one cycle of oscillation instead

Related Tools

User Guide

Calculate the frequency of an electromagnetic wave in a vacuum by entering a value for the corresponding wavelength.

Electromagnetic waves are divided up into regions of what is called the electromagnetic spectrum. Starting with the shortest wavelengths, the spectrum is made up of gamma rays, x rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infra-red, microwave, and radio waves. This wavelength to frequency calculator can be used for all types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Enter the wavelength value, along with selecting the relevant wavelength measurement units, and then select the required frequency measurement units to calculate the corresponding frequency. The result will then be displayed in the answer box along with a dynamic conversion scale to show how frequency varies for different wavelengths, above and below the entered value.

Formula

The formula used to calculate the frequency of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is:

f = c₀ / λ

Symbols

f = Frequency of EM wave
c₀ = Speed of light in a vacuum
λ = Wavelength of EM wave

Wavelength

Enter the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in a vacuum. This is the distance of one complete cycle of oscillation, for an electromagnetic wave, produced by a photon propagating through a vacuum.

Frequency

This is the number of completed cycles of oscillation per unit of time, a photon generates as a electromagnetic wave, as it propagates through a vacuum at the speed of light.