Frequency Converter
Convert between hertz, kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz, and RPM.
How frequency conversion works
Hertz measures cycles per second — one hertz is one complete cycle every second. RPM (revolutions per minute) measures the same underlying idea, rotations, but counted per minute instead of per second, which is why 1 Hz equals exactly 60 RPM.
Common conversions
- 1 Hz = 60 RPM
- US household electricity runs at 60 Hz; most of the rest of the world uses 50 Hz
- 1 kHz = 1,000 Hz, 1 MHz = 1,000,000 Hz, 1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz
Frequently asked questions
Why does RPM matter for motors and engines?
RPM directly describes how fast a motor or engine's shaft is spinning, which is a more intuitive unit for mechanical equipment than hertz — car tachometers, drill speeds, and washing machine spin cycles are all specified in RPM rather than hertz for that reason.
What's the difference between MHz and GHz for electronics?
They're just different scales of the same unit — 1 GHz = 1,000 MHz. Modern CPU clock speeds are typically specified in GHz, while radio and older computer specifications more often use MHz.