Science & Engineering

Electromagnetic Spectrum Reference

Full EM spectrum — frequency, wavelength, and typical uses from radio to gamma.

c = λ · f — wavelength and frequency are inversely related through the speed of light (299 792 458 m/s).

Bands

BandFrequencyWavelengthUses
ELF3–30 Hz10 000–100 000 kmSubmarine comms
SLF30–300 Hz1 000–10 000 kmSubmarine comms
ULF300 Hz–3 kHz100–1 000 kmMine comms
VLF3–30 kHz10–100 kmNavigation, time signals
LF (long wave)30–300 kHz1–10 kmAM radio, RFID
MF (medium wave)300 kHz–3 MHz100–1 000 mAM radio
HF (short wave)3–30 MHz10–100 mHam, aviation, shortwave
VHF30–300 MHz1–10 mFM radio, TV, police
UHF300 MHz–3 GHz10 cm–1 mTV, mobile, WiFi 2.4, BT
SHF3–30 GHz1–10 cmSatellite, radar, WiFi 5/6
EHF30–300 GHz1–10 mm5G mmWave, imaging
THz0.3–3 THz0.1–1 mmSpectroscopy, imaging
Far infrared3–20 THz15–100 µmThermal imaging
Mid infrared20–100 THz3–15 µmMolecular spectroscopy
Near infrared100–384 THz0.78–3 µmFiber optics, night vision
Visible light384–789 THz380–780 nmHuman vision
UV789 THz–30 PHz10–380 nmSterilization, lithography
X-ray30 PHz–30 EHz0.01–10 nmMedical imaging
Gamma>30 EHz<0.01 nmNuclear, astrophysics

Visible light

ColorWavelength (nm)Frequency
Violet380–450668–789 THz
Blue450–485620–668 THz
Cyan485–500600–620 THz
Green500–565530–600 THz
Yellow565–590509–530 THz
Orange590–625480–509 THz
Red625–780384–480 THz
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