WiFi Bands & Channels

WiFi 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz channels, widths, and 802.11 generation reference.

Reference Reference Updated Apr 19, 2026
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Reference

802.11 generations

Name Standard Bands Max rate
WiFi 1 802.11 (legacy) 2.4 GHz 2 Mbit/s
WiFi 2 802.11b 2.4 GHz 11 Mbit/s
WiFi 3 802.11a/g 2.4 / 5 GHz 54 Mbit/s
WiFi 4 802.11n 2.4 / 5 GHz 600 Mbit/s
WiFi 5 802.11ac 5 GHz 6.93 Gbit/s
WiFi 6 802.11ax 2.4 / 5 GHz 9.6 Gbit/s
WiFi 6E 802.11ax 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz 9.6 Gbit/s
WiFi 7 802.11be 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz 46 Gbit/s

2.4 GHz non-overlapping channels

Channel Center (MHz)
1 2412
6 2437
11 2462

5 GHz common channels (US)

Channel Center (MHz) Width
36 5180 20/40/80
40 5200 20/40/80
44 5220 20/40/80
48 5240 20/40/80
149 5745 20/40/80
153 5765 20/40/80
157 5785 20/40/80
161 5805 20/40/80

Notes

  • Only 1/6/11 are non-overlapping on 2.4 GHz — pick one per neighbor.
  • DFS channels (52–144) must yield to radar detection.
  • 6 GHz is license-free in the US (UNII-5..8); require WPA3.

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