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Hz to kHz Converter

Bidirectional Hertz ↔ Kilohertz converter with frequency-band classification, period calculation, MHz/GHz cross-reference, and common audio & radio presets. Runs entirely in your browser.

Input

Hz
Common Presets

Result

Kilohertz
1
kHz
Audible (Human Hearing)
In Hz
1,000 Hz
In kHz
1 kHz
In MHz
0.001 MHz
In GHz
0.000001 GHz
Period (T = 1/f)
1.0000 ms
Formula
1 kHz = 1,000 Hz    (kilo = 10³)
kHz = 1,000 Hz ÷ 1000 = 1 kHz

Common Frequency Reference

Source / UseHzkHzBand
Infrasound (felt, not heard)1 – 200.001 – 0.02Infrasound
Bass guitar low E41.20.0412Audible
Middle C (C4)261.630.26163Audible
Concert A44400.44Audible
Voice fundamental range85 – 2550.085 – 0.255Audible
Vocal sibilance / "s" sounds5,000 – 10,0005 – 10Audible
Upper hearing limit (young)20,00020Audible
CD audio sample rate44,10044.1Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic cleaner40,000 – 50,00040 – 50Ultrasonic
AM radio band530,000 – 1,710,000530 – 1,710RF (LF / MF)
Shortwave radio3,000,000 – 30,000,0003,000 – 30,000RF (HF)
FM radio band87,500,000 – 108,000,00087,500 – 108,000RF (VHF)

About Hz, kHz & Frequency Units

One hertz (Hz) equals one cycle per second, and one kilohertz (kHz) equals one thousand hertz. The conversion is a simple decimal shift — divide Hz by 1,000 to get kHz, or multiply kHz by 1,000 to get Hz.

Why use kHz instead of Hz?

kHz is more compact for the audio, ultrasonic, and low-radio ranges. A 5,000 Hz tone is easier to read as "5 kHz." Audio engineers say "1 k" for 1,000 Hz when discussing EQ bands. AM radio dial markings use kHz; FM and TV use MHz.

SI Prefixes for Frequency

1 kHz = 10³ Hz · 1 MHz = 10⁶ Hz · 1 GHz = 10⁹ Hz · 1 THz = 10¹² Hz. Each prefix represents three orders of magnitude, so going from Hz to kHz to MHz to GHz simply moves the decimal point three places at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert Hz to kHz?
Divide the value in hertz by 1,000. For example, 5,000 Hz ÷ 1,000 = 5 kHz. To go the other way, multiply by 1,000: 2.5 kHz × 1,000 = 2,500 Hz.
Is 1 kHz the same as 1,000 Hz?
Yes. "Kilo" is the SI prefix for 1,000, so 1 kHz = 1,000 Hz exactly. There is no rounding or approximation involved.
What is the frequency range of human hearing in kHz?
A healthy young adult can typically hear from 0.02 kHz (20 Hz) up to 20 kHz (20,000 Hz). With age, the upper limit drops, often to 12–15 kHz by age 50. Anything above 20 kHz is called ultrasonic.
What is 44.1 kHz in audio?
44.1 kHz (44,100 Hz) is the sample rate used by audio CDs and most consumer audio. It was chosen because it covers slightly more than twice the upper hearing limit (Nyquist requirement: sample rate must be at least 2 × highest frequency to reproduce). Other common rates include 48 kHz (video) and 96 kHz / 192 kHz (high-resolution audio).
Why does AM radio use kHz but FM uses MHz?
AM (Amplitude Modulation) operates on lower frequencies — 530 to 1,710 kHz in the medium-wave band. FM (Frequency Modulation) uses much higher carrier frequencies — 87.5 to 108 MHz (87,500 to 108,000 kHz). Because the numbers are so much larger, MHz is the more convenient unit for FM.
What does 1 kHz sound like?
1 kHz is a clear, mid-range tone — roughly two octaves above middle C (between C6 and C7 on a piano). It's the standard reference frequency for audio testing because it sits in the most sensitive range of human hearing and is unambiguous to identify by ear.