Convert frequency to wavelength, wavelength to frequency or solve phase speed. Electromagnetic mode uses vacuum or a user-supplied real phase refractive index; other waves use a supplied phase speed. Photon energy and approximate EM region are shown only in electromagnetic mode.
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Hertz to nm Formula
The following formula is used to convert a frequency in hertz into a wavelength in nanometers.
- Where w is the wavelength (nanometers, nm)
- V is the wave velocity (meters per second, m/s)
- f is the frequency (hertz, Hz)
To calculate nanometers from hertz, divide phase velocity by frequency (to get meters), then multiply by 10⁹. In a transparent EM medium use v = c/n with a real phase index appropriate to the frequency and material. Generic air, water and glass indices are not universal constants, so the calculator requires your value. Frequency and photon energy E = hf remain tied to frequency; the approximate EM region is classified by vacuum-equivalent wavelength. Spectral boundaries overlap and are not a hazard classification.
| Hertz (Hz) | Nanometers (nm) |
|---|---|
| 2.998e+15 | 100 |
| 1.553e+15 | 193 |
| 1.209e+15 | 248 |
| 1.127e+15 | 266 |
| 8.445e+14 | 355 |
| 7.402e+14 | 405 |
| 6.662e+14 | 450 |
| 6.143e+14 | 488 |
| 5.635e+14 | 532 |
| 5.460e+14 | 550 |
| 5.090e+14 | 589 |
| 4.736e+14 | 633 |
| 4.612e+14 | 650 |
| 3.844e+14 | 780 |
| 3.710e+14 | 808 |
| 3.527e+14 | 850 |
| 3.200e+14 | 940 |
| 2.818e+14 | 1064 |
| 2.288e+14 | 1310 |
| 1.934e+14 | 1550 |
| * Frequencies are rounded to 4 significant figures (scientific notation). Assumes electromagnetic waves in vacuum (c = 299,792,458 m/s). Formula: λ (nm) = (c / f) × 1e9. | |
How are hertz converted into nm?
Hertz can be converted to nanometers only when the velocity of the wave is also known. For electromagnetic waves in vacuum, the wave speed equals the speed of light, c = 299,792,458 m/s (in air it is very close to this). For other types of waves (sound, water, string waves) or electromagnetic waves in other materials, the wave speed depends on the medium and must be provided.
Using the wave speed and the frequency, the wavelength can be calculated and expressed in nanometers (nm).
How to calculate nm from hertz?
Example Problem
The following example outlines the steps needed to convert hertz into nm.
First, determine the velocity or speed of the wave. In this case we will use the speed of light in vacuum: V = 299,792,458 m/s.
Next, determine the frequency of the wave in hertz. In this example, the frequency is 500 THz, which is 5.00 × 1014 Hz.
Finally, calculate the wavelength in nanometers using the formula above:
w = (V / f) × 10^9
w = (299,792,458 / (5.00 × 1014)) × 10^9
w ≈ 599.585 nm
