Convert between 5G NR-ARFCN channel numbers and frequencies in MHz/GHz. Covers FR1 (sub-6 GHz) and FR2 (mmWave) per 3GPP TS 38.104.
NR-ARFCN → Frequency
Frequency (MHz)
Frequency (GHz)
Frequency Range
ΔF_Global used
Frequency → NR-ARFCN
NR-ARFCN
Exact frequency (MHz)
Frequency Range
ΔF_Global used
NR-ARFCN Reference Table (3GPP TS 38.104)
Range
ΔF_Global
NR-ARFCN Range
Freq Range
Sub-3 GHz
5 kHz
0–599,999
0–2999.995 MHz
3–24.25 GHz
15 kHz
600,000–2,016,666
3000–24249.99 MHz
24.25–100 GHz
60 kHz
2,016,667–3,279,165
24250.08–100000 MHz
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NR-ARFCN?
NR-ARFCN (New Radio Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is a number used in 5G NR to identify a radio frequency channel. It is defined in 3GPP TS 38.104 and replaces the EARFCN used in LTE. Each NR-ARFCN maps to a specific frequency in kHz using the formula: F_REF = F_REF_OFFS + ΔF_Global × (N_REF − N_REF_OFFS).
How does NR-ARFCN differ from LTE EARFCN?
NR-ARFCN covers a much wider frequency range (0–100 GHz) compared to LTE EARFCN (0–6 GHz). NR-ARFCN uses a global frequency raster with three sub-ranges (ΔF_Global of 5, 15, or 60 kHz) rather than band-specific channel numbers. NR-ARFCN values can reach up to 3,279,165 while EARFCN tops out around 262,143.
What is ΔF_Global?
ΔF_Global is the global frequency raster step size used to calculate NR-ARFCN. It is 5 kHz for frequencies 0–3 GHz, 15 kHz for 3–24.25 GHz, and 60 kHz for 24.25–100 GHz (mmWave). The step size determines the minimum frequency granularity for channel numbering in each range. If an entered frequency is not aligned to the raster, the calculator rounds to the nearest valid NR-ARFCN.