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Waves & Signals

Wavelength, Frequency and Wave Speed Calculator

Solve the wave equation v = fλ to calculate wavelength, frequency or wave speed, with a derived period, worked steps and a printable report. Runs locally in your browser.

Science & Engineering

Wavelength, Frequency and Wave Speed Calculator

Solve the wave equation v = fλ (wavelength) for wavelength, frequency or wave speed.

Local calculationNo account requiredNo values uploaded

Calculation setup

299,792,458 m/s, exact. The value remains editable.

Typical speed of sound in dry air at 20 °C is approximately 343 m/s. Actual speed depends on conditions.

Results

Enter both values for the selected known pair to see a result.

Worked calculation

Enter valid values to see the worked calculation.

Formula

v = f × λ (wavelength)

f = v ÷ λ (wavelength)

λ (wavelength) = v ÷ f (selected)

T = 1 ÷ f (period)

The wave equation v = fλ relates wave speed, frequency and wavelength for periodic waves. Period (T) is shown automatically as 1 ÷ frequency.

Local processing

All calculations run locally in your browser. This tool does not upload or store the values you enter.

Assumptions and limitations

This calculator uses v = fλ for periodic waves. Wave speed depends on the medium or physical system, so a custom speed must be supplied unless the vacuum electromagnetic preset is used. Frequency is normally determined by the source, and wavelength changes when wave speed changes. Electromagnetic waves use the exact preset only in vacuum - light travels more slowly in materials. The 343 m/s sound reference is approximate and condition-dependent. This tool does not model refraction, dispersion, group velocity, standing waves or harmonics, antenna dimensions, photon energy or the Doppler effect, and does not replace specialist RF, optical, acoustic or regulated engineering analysis.

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