Wavelength Calculator

What Is Wavelength?

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave, such as from one peak to the next. It is typically represented by the Greek letter lambda (λ) and measured in meters (m) or nanometers (nm) for light.

Wavelength is inversely related to frequency — higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequencies have longer wavelengths. Together with wave speed, the three form the wave equation.

How to Calculate Wavelength

Wavelength Formula

Where:

• λ = wavelength (m)
• v = wave speed (m/s)
• f = frequency (Hz)

For sound in air at room temperature (v ≈ 343 m/s), the concert pitch A (440 Hz) has a wavelength of:

λ = 343 / 440 = 0.78 m

For visible light (v = 3 × 10⁸ m/s), red light at 430 THz has a wavelength of about 700 nm, while violet light at 790 THz has a wavelength of about 380 nm.

Wavelength of Visible Light

The human eye can detect light with wavelengths between approximately 380 nm (violet) and 700 nm (red). The full visible spectrum includes: violet (380–450 nm), blue (450–495 nm), green (495–570 nm), yellow (570–590 nm), orange (590–620 nm), and red (620–700 nm).

Speed of Sound in Different Media

Sound travels much faster in denser media. A sound wave that has a wavelength of 1 m in air would have a wavelength of about 4.4 m in water at the same frequency.