What is the relationship between frequency and period?

Frequency (f) and period (T) are reciprocals: T = 1/f and f = 1/T. A signal that completes one cycle per second has a frequency of 1 Hz and a period of 1 second.

How many nanoseconds is one GHz cycle?

1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz, so T = 1 / 1×10⁹ = 1 nanosecond (1 ns). Modern CPUs running at 3–5 GHz have cycle periods of roughly 0.2–0.33 ns.

What is the period of a 50 Hz signal?

T = 1 / 50 = 0.02 seconds, or 20 milliseconds. This is the standard AC mains period in most of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Can I convert angular frequency (rad/s) here?

This tool uses ordinary frequency in Hz (cycles per second). Angular frequency ω = 2πf. To use it, divide your ω value by 2π (≈ 6.2832) first to get Hz, then convert.

Why does a 440 Hz tone have a period of about 2.27 ms?

T = 1 / 440 ≈ 0.002273 seconds = 2.27 ms. Concert A (A4) vibrates 440 times per second, so each complete oscillation takes about 2.27 milliseconds.

Frequency Period Converter

Name: Frequency Period Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter a frequency or period value to instantly convert between Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz and seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds.

Frequency → Period

T = 1 / f

Period → Frequency

f = 1 / T

Common Frequency / Period Reference

Signal	Frequency	Period
AC mains (Europe/Asia)	50 Hz	20 ms
AC mains (US/Canada)	60 Hz	16.67 ms
Concert A (A4)	440 Hz	2.273 ms
FM radio band	88–108 MHz	9.3–11.4 ns
Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz	0.417 ns
Wi-Fi 5 GHz	5 GHz	0.2 ns

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Summary

Enter a frequency or period value to instantly convert between Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz and seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds.

How it works

Select whether you want to convert from frequency or from period.
Enter a numeric value in the input field.
Choose the unit of your input (e.g. kHz or milliseconds).
The converter applies T = 1/f (or f = 1/T) and shows results in all units instantly.
Use the swap button to flip direction without re-entering values.

Use cases

Convert a CPU clock frequency (GHz) to its cycle period in nanoseconds.
Find the period of a 50 Hz or 60 Hz AC power signal.
Convert an audio frequency (e.g. 440 Hz concert A) to its period in milliseconds.
Check oscilloscope timebase settings against signal frequency.
Verify RF carrier frequencies for radio and wireless design.
Convert between angular frequency and period in physics coursework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu