Convert between UMTS UARFCN channel numbers and DL/UL frequencies for all major 3G UMTS bands. Formula: F(MHz) = UARFCN × 0.2.
UARFCN → Frequency
Frequency (MHz)
Band
Direction
Corresponding UL/DL UARFCN
Frequency → UARFCN
UARFCN
Band
Direction
Common UMTS Band Reference
Band
DL (MHz)
UL (MHz)
Common Use
Band I
2110–2170
1920–1980
Europe/Asia 2100 MHz
Band II
1930–1990
1850–1910
Americas 1900 MHz
Band V
869–894
824–849
Americas 850 MHz
Band VIII
925–960
880–915
Europe/Asia 900 MHz
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UARFCN?
UARFCN (UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is a channel numbering scheme used in 3G UMTS (WCDMA) networks. Each UARFCN uniquely identifies a 200 kHz wide radio channel. The formula is simple: F(MHz) = UARFCN × 0.2. UARFCN values apply to both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) channels, with separate ranges for each direction within each UMTS band.
How is UARFCN calculated from frequency?
The UARFCN formula is: UARFCN = Frequency (MHz) ÷ 0.2 = Frequency (MHz) × 5. For example, a downlink frequency of 2112.6 MHz gives UARFCN = 2112.6 × 5 = 10563. This formula applies across all UMTS bands — there is no band-specific offset, unlike LTE EARFCN. The channel spacing is 200 kHz, so UARFCN values always step by 1 per 200 kHz.
What replaced UMTS/UARFCN in 4G and 5G?
In 4G LTE, UARFCN was replaced by EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number), which uses a 100 kHz channel raster and band-specific offsets. In 5G NR, EARFCN was replaced by NR-ARFCN (New Radio ARFCN), which covers frequencies up to 100 GHz with a global raster using ΔF_Global steps of 5, 15, or 60 kHz depending on frequency range. UMTS networks are being decommissioned globally, with most operators having shut down 3G by 2025.