Wave speed calculator
Wave speed and period from frequency and wavelength.
Enter your values and press Calculate. Your inputs stay in the address, so you can switch language or share the link.
Formula
v = f × λ T = 1 ÷ f
How it works
A wave travels one wavelength in one period, so speed = frequency × wavelength. The default 440 Hz with a 0.78 m wavelength is a musical note in air, travelling at about 343 m/s.
Worked example
The same calculation with the default values:
- Frequency 440 Hz
- Wavelength 0.78 m
- v = 440 × 0.78 = 343.2 m/s
- T = 1 ÷ 440 = 0.002273 s
Result: Wave speed: 343.2 m/s · Period: 0.00227273 s
Assumes a single, pure frequency traveling through a uniform medium - real signals are often mixtures of frequencies, and wave speed can itself depend on frequency in a dispersive medium.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up wavelength and period in the formula, or using frequency in the period formula without inverting it - T = 1/f, not T = f.
- Forgetting that wave speed depends on the medium, not on frequency - frequency is set by the source, but speed changes when the wave moves between media (e.g. light slowing down in glass), and wavelength adjusts accordingly.
- Using inconsistent length units for wavelength (e.g. nanometers) with speed in m/s without converting first.
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