Wavelength Calculator
Use our wavelength calculator to find a wave’s length given its frequency and velocity.
Wavelength:
Wavelength Formula
Frequency Formula
Velocity Formula
Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.
How to Calculate Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance between consecutive crests (or troughs) in a wave. This distance is a key determinant of the wave’s characteristics, such as its color in the case of light or its pitch in the case of sound.
Wavelength is typically measured in meters (m), but depending on the wave’s frequency and nature, it might also be expressed in centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), or even nanometers (nm) for extremely small waves like those of light.
Wavelength Formula
The relationship between wavelength, wave velocity (the speed at which a wave propagates through a medium), and frequency (the number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point per second) is a cornerstone of wave physics. The formula that connects these three variables is:
λ = 𝑣 / 𝑓
Where:
λ = wavelength
𝑣 = wave velocity or speed
𝑓 = wave frequency
Thus, the wavelength λ is equal to the wave’s velocity 𝑣 divided by its frequency 𝑓.
For example, suppose you need to determine the wavelength of a sound wave traveling through air.
The velocity of sound in air, under standard conditions, is approximately 343 meters per second (m/s). If the sound has a frequency of 256 Hertz (Hz), we can use the wavelength formula to find the wavelength.
λ = 343 m⁄s / 256 Hz = 1.34 m
So, the distance between consecutive crests of this sound wave is equal to about 1.34 meters.