Enter the wavelength into the calculator to determine the wavenumber. This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.

Cm To Wavenumber Calculator

Basic
Freq/Energy
Raman Shift

Cm To Wavenumber Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the wavenumber.

W = 1 / ฮป

Variables:

  • W is the wavenumber (cm-1)
  • ฮป is the wavelength in centimeters (cm)

To calculate the wavenumber, take the reciprocal of the wavelength in centimeters. This means dividing 1 by the wavelength. The result is the wavenumber, measured in reciprocal centimeters (cm-1).

Wavelength to Wavenumber Conversion Table (k = 1/ฮป, ฮป in cm)
Wavelength (cm) Wavelength (ฮผm) Wavelength (nm) Wavenumber (cm-1)
0.0010610.610600943.40
0.0003003.030003333.33
0.0002502.525004000.00
0.0001551.5515506451.61
0.00010641.06410649398.50
0.00007850.78578512738.85
0.00006330.63363315797.79
0.00005320.53253218796.99
0.00004880.48848820491.80
0.00004050.40540524691.36
0.00003550.35535528169.01
0.00003400.34034029411.76
0.00003250.32532530769.23
0.00003130.31331331948.88
0.00003020.30230233112.58
0.00002660.26626637593.98
0.00002480.24824840322.58
0.00002140.21421446728.97
0.00002000.20020050000.00
0.00001930.19319351813.47
Formulae: k(cm-1) = 1 / ฮป(cm) = 104 / ฮป(ฮผm) = 107 / ฮป(nm).

What is Cm To Wavenumber?

Cm to wavenumber is a conversion used in spectroscopy, which is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. The wavenumber, often used in infrared spectroscopy, is the spatial frequency of a wave, measured in cycles per unit distance or radians per unit distance. It is typically measured in reciprocal centimeters (cm-1), hence the conversion from cm to wavenumber. The wavenumber is calculated as the reciprocal of the wavelength in centimeters (1/wavelength).

How to Calculate Cm To Wavenumber?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Cm To Wavenumber using the formula: W = 1 / ฮป


  1. First, determine the wavelength in centimeters (ฮป).
  2. Next, use the formula W = 1 / ฮป to calculate the wavenumber (W).
  3. Finally, calculate the Cm To Wavenumber.
  4. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

wavelength in centimeters (ฮป) = 5