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What is an EARFCN?

The EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is a unique integer that identifies every LTE carrier frequency. It is the standard way 3GPP maps a channel number to an exact center frequency in MHz.

Updated April 2026 Β· ~5 min read

EARFCN Explained

Every LTE cell broadcasts on a specific carrier frequency. Instead of referencing that frequency directly (e.g. 1842.5 MHz), the 3GPP standard TS 36.101 assigns an integer called the EARFCN to each possible channel. The mapping is deterministic: one EARFCN always equals one frequency, and vice versa.

3GPP Downlink Formula
FDL = FDL_low + 0.1 × (EARFCN − NOffs-DL)
  • FDL. Downlink center frequency in MHz
  • FDL_low. Lower edge of the downlink band (MHz)
  • EARFCN. The channel number you want to convert
  • NOffs-DL. Offset constant for the band (from Table 5.7.3-1)

The step size is always 100 kHz (the 0.1 factor in the formula). A symmetric formula exists for the uplink using FUL_low and NOffs-UL.

Common EARFCN Ranges

Each LTE band has a reserved EARFCN range. Here are the most widely deployed bands:

Band Frequency DL EARFCN Range Common Name
Band 1 2100 MHz 0 – 599 IMT
Band 3 1800 MHz 1200 – 1949 DCS
Band 7 2600 MHz 2750 – 3449 IMT-E
Band 20 800 MHz 6150 – 6449 EU Digital Dividend
Band 28 700 MHz 9210 – 9659 APT 700

EARFCN vs NR-ARFCN

While EARFCN is the channel numbering system for 4G LTE, 5G NR introduced a new system called NR-ARFCN, defined in 3GPP TS 38.101.

EARFCN (4G LTE)
  • 100 kHz channel raster
  • Covers up to 3.8 GHz (Band 46)
  • Defined in 3GPP TS 36.101
  • Range: 0 to 262 143
NR-ARFCN (5G NR)
  • 5 kHz global raster (finer granularity)
  • Covers up to 100 GHz (FR2 mmWave)
  • Defined in 3GPP TS 38.101
  • Range: 0 to 3 279 165

The key difference is granularity: NR-ARFCN uses a 5 kHz step (20 times finer than EARFCN), which is necessary to address the much wider frequency range of 5G NR, including millimeter wave bands above 24 GHz.

How to Find the EARFCN

1
Android Engineering Mode

Dial *#*#4636#*#* to open the testing menu. Under "Phone Information", the current EARFCN is displayed next to the serving cell. On Samsung devices, use *#0011# for Service Mode.

2
Network Testing Apps

Professional tools like HiCellTek RF Monitor display the EARFCN in real time alongside RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, PCI, and other LTE parameters. This is the preferred method for field engineers.

3
Drive Test Logs

During drive tests, the EARFCN is logged for every measurement sample. Post-processing tools decode the EARFCN to identify which band and frequency each cell is operating on.

EARFCN Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EARFCN range for LTE Band 3?
Band 3 uses EARFCNs 1200 to 1949 for the downlink and 19200 to 19949 for the uplink. This band operates at 1800 MHz (DCS) and is widely deployed across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
How do I find the EARFCN on my phone?
On Android, use *#0011# (Samsung Service Mode), *#*#4636#*#* (generic engineering mode), or a network testing app like HiCellTek RF Monitor. On iOS, the Field Test mode (*3001#12345#*) shows the EARFCN under LTE Serving Cell Info.
What is the difference between EARFCN and ARFCN?
ARFCN (Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) is the channel numbering system for 2G GSM networks. EARFCN (E-UTRA ARFCN) is its 4G LTE equivalent. The two use different numbering ranges, formulas, and frequency offsets defined in separate 3GPP specifications.
Can two bands share the same EARFCN?
No. Each EARFCN maps to exactly one band and one frequency. The 3GPP specification assigns non-overlapping EARFCN ranges to every LTE band, ensuring a unique one-to-one mapping between channel number and carrier frequency.
What is NR-ARFCN?
NR-ARFCN (New Radio ARFCN) is the 5G NR equivalent of EARFCN, defined in 3GPP TS 38.101. It uses a finer 5 kHz global raster (compared to the 100 kHz step of EARFCN) and supports frequencies up to 100 GHz in the mmWave range.
How accurate is EARFCN to frequency conversion?
The conversion is exact. The formula defined in 3GPP TS 36.101 produces a deterministic result with 100 kHz precision. There is no estimation or approximation involved, every EARFCN corresponds to one and only one center frequency.

Learn More

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Convert any EARFCN to frequency and band instantly.
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EARFCN Definition

Quick reference for the E-UTRA channel number standard.
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Enter any EARFCN to instantly get the center frequency, band number, and duplex spacing.

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