EARFCN / NR-ARFCN Calculator
EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is a 3GPP-standardized channel number that uniquely identifies each carrier frequency in 4G LTE networks. For 5G NR, the equivalent is NR-ARFCN (New Radio ARFCN), which covers sub-6 GHz and millimeter-wave bands using a global frequency raster.
Enter an EARFCN (4G LTE) or NR-ARFCN (5G NR) to instantly get the frequency in MHz, associated band, DL/UL ranges, and bandwidth. All conversions follow 3GPP TS 36.101 and TS 38.101 specifications. 100% client-side, no data transmitted.
Updated March 2026 · 3GPP Release 18 specifications
4G LTE EARFCN & 5G NR-ARFCN Calculator
3GPP formula: F_DL = F_DL_low + 0.1 x (EARFCN - N_Offs_DL)
HiCellTek shows live EARFCN, NR-ARFCN and full RF KPIs directly on your Android. No laptop required.
Understanding EARFCN and NR-ARFCN
Channel numbers (ARFCNs) are at the heart of frequency identification in mobile networks. Every 4G or 5G cell transmits on a specific channel identified by its EARFCN or NR-ARFCN, enabling terminals (UEs) to scan and connect to the correct frequencies during cell selection and handover.
4G LTE EARFCN Calculator
Defined in 3GPP TS 36.101, EARFCN uses a fixed 100 kHz step size. The downlink frequency is calculated as F_DL = F_DL_low + 0.1 x (EARFCN - N_Offs_DL). EARFCN ranges span from 0 to 65535, covering all FDD and TDD bands defined for LTE.
5G NR-ARFCN Calculator
Defined in 3GPP TS 38.101, NR-ARFCN ranges from 0 to 3,279,165 and uses a global frequency raster with three step sizes: 5 kHz (0 to 599,999, covering 0 to 3000 MHz), 15 kHz (600,000 to 2,016,666, covering 3000 to 24,250 MHz), and 60 kHz (2,016,667 to 3,279,165, covering 24,250.08 to 100,000 MHz).
FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) bands use separate frequencies for downlink and uplink. TDD (Time Division Duplex) bands share the same frequency, alternating between DL and UL in time. The duplex mode directly impacts how EARFCNs and NR-ARFCNs are allocated.
Frequently Asked Questions about EARFCN and LTE/5G Frequencies
What is an EARFCN?
How do you convert an EARFCN to a frequency?
What is the difference between EARFCN and NR-ARFCN?
Which LTE bands are most commonly used in Europe?
How can I identify the band from an EARFCN?
What is NR-ARFCN for 5G?
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SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, SS-SINR, CSI-* thresholds aligned with TS 38.133. The reference sheet every RF engineer keeps open during tuning. Free PDF.
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