LTE & 5G Frequency Calculator
Convert LTE EARFCN and 5G NR-ARFCN to frequency, identify LTE/NR bands and find compatible channel numbers from a frequency, all from one input.
What is EARFCN?
EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is how LTE identifies a specific carrier frequency inside a band. 3GPP TS 36.101 defines, for every band, a downlink offset and range plus an uplink offset and range. Frequency is derived with F = F_low + 0.1 × (N - N_offset), in MHz.
What is NR-ARFCN?
NR-ARFCN plays the same role for 5G NR but on a single global raster shared by every band, defined in 3GPP TS 38.101-1. The step size changes with frequency range: 5 kHz below 3 GHz, 15 kHz from 3 GHz to 24.25 GHz.
How frequency mapping works
Because LTE and NR band plans overlap (for example n77 fully contains n78), one frequency can be valid for several bands at once. This calculator always lists every matching band instead of silently picking one, so you can confirm the right one for your deployment.
LTE vs 5G frequency numbering
LTE gives each band its own EARFCN numbering space, so the same channel number can mean different frequencies in different bands. NR-ARFCN removes that ambiguity for the raw number, an NR-ARFCN always maps to one frequency, but that frequency can still fall inside more than one NR band definition.
Specialized calculators
- LTE EARFCN Calculator, EARFCN to frequency conversion with worked examples.
- 5G NR-ARFCN Calculator, NR-ARFCN to frequency, FR1/FR2 and the global raster explained.
- LTE Band Finder, enter a frequency and see every compatible LTE band.
- 5G NR Band Finder, enter a frequency and see every compatible NR band.
Related RF tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EARFCN?
EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is the channel numbering scheme LTE uses to identify a specific carrier frequency within a band, defined in 3GPP TS 36.101. Each EARFCN maps to one exact downlink or uplink frequency via a per-band offset and a fixed 100 kHz step.
What is NR-ARFCN?
NR-ARFCN is the equivalent channel numbering scheme for 5G NR, defined in 3GPP TS 38.101-1. Unlike EARFCN, it uses a single global frequency raster shared across all NR bands, with a step size that depends on the frequency range (5 kHz below 3 GHz, 15 kHz between 3 and 24.25 GHz).
How does frequency mapping work?
Both EARFCN and NR-ARFCN are derived from a reference frequency and a linear step using formulas from the relevant 3GPP spec. Because band ranges can overlap, the same frequency can be valid in more than one band, this tool lists every match instead of guessing one.
What is the difference between LTE and 5G frequency numbering?
LTE assigns each band its own EARFCN offset and range. 5G NR instead places every band on one shared global raster, which is why an NR-ARFCN alone does not tell you the band, you also need to know which band plan applies to the frequency it resolves to.
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