Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hertz is the unit of measurement used to quantify frequency. It represents one cycle or oscillation per second.
Related terms
Kilohertz (kHz): Kilohertz is equal to 1000 hertz. It is commonly used to measure frequencies in radio waves and audio signals.
Megahertz (MHz): Megahertz is equal to one million hertz. It is often used to measure frequencies in computer processors and radio transmissions.
Gigahertz (GHz): Gigahertz is equal to one billion hertz. It is frequently used to measure frequencies in computer processors and wireless communication systems.