Wave Equation Calculator (v = fλ)

Every wave obeys v = fλ: wave speed equals frequency times wavelength. Enter any two to find the third, from sound waves to light.

How to interpret the result

Speed, frequency, and wavelength are locked together: for a fixed speed, higher frequency means shorter wavelength. That is why blue light (high f) has a shorter λ than red light, and why a piccolo sounds shrill next to a tuba.

Assumptions

• Wave travels at constant speed through a uniform medium
• Frequency is set by the source and does not change between media
• Sinusoidal (single-frequency) wave