Wave Speed Calculator
Use our wave speed calculator to calculate wave speed from frequency and wavelength. Includes the wave speed formula (physics), the equation linking wave speed, frequency, and wavelength, and step-by-step wave speed calculations.
What Determines Wave Speed?
Wave speed is how fast a wave travels through a medium (or space, for electromagnetic waves). It’s typically measured in meters per second (m/s).
For many waves, speed is determined mainly by the medium and its properties (like tension and mass density on a string, or depth for shallow-water waves), not by how “hard” you shake it.
This calculator focuses on the most common relationship used in wave speed calculations: speed from wavelength and frequency.
Wave Speed Formula
The wave speed equation links wave speed (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ).
v is wave speed, f is frequency (Hz), and λ is wavelength (meters).
Use this if you know wave speed and wavelength.
Use this if you know wave speed and frequency.
A simple calculate wave speed example.
How to Calculate Wave Speed
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Enter the frequency (Hz).
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Enter the wavelength (m).
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Multiply them: v = f × λ.
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The result is wave speed in meters per second (m/s).
Frequently Asked Questions
A common method is using v = f × λ, where v is wave speed, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength.
The wave speed formula is v = fλ (frequency times wavelength).
For many mechanical waves, the medium determines speed (for example, tension and mass density for a string). Frequency and wavelength adjust so the wave travels at that speed in that medium.
v = f × λ. Rearranged: f = v/λ and λ = v/f.
Shallow-water wave speed is often modeled as v = √(g×d), where g is gravity and d is water depth. That’s a different model than v = fλ (which relates any wave’s speed to its frequency and wavelength).