BYTETOOLS

WiFi Channel to Frequency Converter

Convert WiFi channel numbers to centre frequencies and back for 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, with band, DFS status, channel width spans and 2.4 GHz overlap.

6
Channel
2437 MHz
Centre frequency
2.437
In GHz
No
DFS required

Band and formula

2.4 GHz ISM (802.11b/g/n/ax)
2407 + 5 × 6 = 2437 MHz

Spectrum occupied at each channel width

WidthLower edgeUpper edgeSpan
20 MHz2427 MHz2447 MHz2427–2447
40 MHz2417 MHz2457 MHz2417–2457
80 MHz2397 MHz2477 MHz2397–2477
160 MHz2357 MHz2517 MHz2357–2517

These are the nominal edges around the centre. A 40/80/160 MHz carrier is actually built from bonded 20 MHz channels, so the real block is anchored on the primary channel rather than centred on it.

2.4 GHz channels that overlap channel 6

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

Calculated from the 22 MHz spectral mask: two channels overlap when their centre frequencies are less than 22 MHz apart.

Things worth knowing

  • Channels are spaced only 5 MHz apart but each carrier is about 22 MHz wide, so only 1, 6 and 11 fit side by side without overlapping.
  • 40 MHz operation in 2.4 GHz swallows most of the band and is discouraged in any shared environment.

Common channel reference

2.4 GHz — the non-overlapping trio plus neighbours

1 = 2412 · 6 = 2437 · 11 = 2462 · 13 = 2472 · 14 = 2484 MHz

5 GHz — U-NII-1 and U-NII-3 (no DFS)

36 = 5180 · 40 = 5200 · 44 = 5220 · 48 = 5240 · 149 = 5745 · 153 = 5765 · 157 = 5785 · 161 = 5805 · 165 = 5825 MHz

5 GHz — DFS channels

52 = 5260 · 56 = 5280 · 60 = 5300 · 64 = 5320 · 100 = 5500 · 104 = 5520 · 108 = 5540 · 112 = 5560 · 116 = 5580 · 132 = 5660 · 136 = 5680 · 140 = 5700 MHz

6 GHz — a sample of the 20 MHz plan

1 = 5955 · 5 = 5975 · 9 = 5995 · 37 = 6135 · 69 = 6295 · 101 = 6455 · 133 = 6615 · 165 = 6775 · 197 = 6935 · 229 = 7095 MHz

What is the WiFi Channel to Frequency Converter?

This converter turns a WiFi channel number into its exact centre frequency, and a frequency back into a channel, using the 802.

  • Both directions: channel to MHz and MHz back to a band and channel number
  • Covers 2.4 GHz channels 1–14, 5 GHz 36–177 and 6 GHz 1–233
  • Names the U-NII sub-band and flags DFS channels that require radar detection
  • Spectrum span at 20, 40, 80 and 160 MHz channel widths
  • Lists every 2.4 GHz channel that overlaps yours, from the 22 MHz spectral mask
  • Quick-reference tables of the common channels in all three bands

How to use the WiFi Channel to Frequency Converter

  1. 1

    Choose whether you are converting a channel to a frequency or a frequency to a channel.

  2. 2

    Pick the band — 2.4, 5 or 6 GHz — and type the channel number, or type a centre frequency in MHz.

  3. 3

    Read the centre frequency, band name and DFS status in the summary tiles.

  4. 4

    Check the width table to see the spectrum a 20, 40, 80 or 160 MHz carrier occupies around that centre.

  5. 5

    In 2.4 GHz, read the overlap list before choosing a channel for an access point.

About the WiFi Channel to Frequency Converter

This converter turns a WiFi channel number into its exact centre frequency, and a frequency back into a channel, using the 802.11 formulas: 2407 + 5 × channel in 2.4 GHz, 5000 + 5 × channel in 5 GHz and 5950 + 5 × channel in 6 GHz, with the two special cases — channel 14 at 2484 MHz and 6 GHz channel 2 at 5935 MHz — handled properly.

For each channel you also get the U-NII sub-band it belongs to, whether DFS radar detection applies, and the spectrum it occupies at 20, 40, 80 and 160 MHz. In 2.4 GHz it lists every other channel that overlaps yours, calculated from the 22 MHz spectral mask — which is why 1, 6 and 11 are the only trio that fits without interfering.

It is a reference for anyone planning a wireless deployment, filling in a site-survey sheet or reading a spectrum analyser, and quick-reference tables of the common channels in all three bands sit at the bottom of the page. Everything is computed in your browser from the published 802.11 formulas, with no lookup, no scanning and no upload of any kind — the page works perfectly well with the network turned off.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a WiFi channel to a frequency?

In 2.4 GHz the centre frequency is 2407 + 5 × channel, so channel 6 is 2437 MHz. In 5 GHz it is 5000 + 5 × channel, so channel 36 is 5180 MHz. In 6 GHz it is 5950 + 5 × channel. Channel 14 (2484 MHz) and 6 GHz channel 2 (5935 MHz) are the two exceptions.

Why are channels 1, 6 and 11 the only non-overlapping ones?

Channel numbers are spaced 5 MHz apart, but each carrier is about 22 MHz wide. Two channels therefore need to be five numbers apart before their spectrum stops overlapping — which leaves room for exactly three non-overlapping channels in the 2.4 GHz band.

What is a DFS channel?

DFS channels — 52 to 64 and 100 to 144 in 5 GHz — are shared with radar. An access point must perform a channel availability check before using one and vacate within ten seconds if it detects radar, which causes a brief outage. They are usually much quieter than the non-DFS channels.

Should I use 40 MHz channels on 2.4 GHz?

Almost never. A 40 MHz carrier swallows most of the band and overlaps every neighbouring network, so in any shared environment it lowers throughput for everyone including you. Keep 2.4 GHz at 20 MHz and use the wide channels in 5 or 6 GHz.

How many channels does 6 GHz WiFi add?

The 6 GHz band runs from 5925 to 7125 MHz and provides 59 non-overlapping 20 MHz channels — roughly triple what 5 GHz offers, with no DFS requirement. It needs Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 hardware at both ends, and the exact allocation varies by country.

Does this tool scan for networks?

No. A web page cannot see WiFi radios. This is a converter and reference for the published 802.11 channel plans, computed entirely in your browser with nothing uploaded.

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