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NR-ARFCN stands for New Radio Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number.
It’s a unique number assigned to each 5G NR frequency channel.
Instead of remembering the frequency in MHz, engineers can refer to a single number (ARFCN).
Defined by 3GPP TS 38.104 standard.
Example:
NR Band n78, downlink frequency 3500 MHz → ARFCN = 630000
NR Band n41, downlink frequency 2600 MHz → ARFCN = 253333
Different situations require different formats:
| Use Case | Preferred Format |
|---|---|
| Network configuration on 5G base station | ARFCN |
| Spectrum analysis / measurement | Frequency (MHz) |
| Testing & simulation | Both |
This tool allows you to quickly convert between ARFCN and frequency, saving time and avoiding mistakes.
3GPP defines linear formulas to convert ARFCN to frequency:
Frequency ff in MHz =
f=Flow+0.005×(NARFCN)f = F_\text{low} + 0.005 \times (N_\text{ARFCN})
or other linear formulas depending on band and range.
Frequency ranges are higher (24–52 GHz), with different step sizes.
Conversion formula:
f=Flow+0.06×(NARFCN−Noffset)f = F_\text{low} + 0.06 \times (N_\text{ARFCN} – N_\text{offset})
In the plugin, we simplified the ranges for common bands like n41, n78, n257, n258, and n261.
5G NR bands are divided into:
FR1 – Sub-6 GHz spectrum (e.g., n41, n78)
FR2 – mmWave spectrum (e.g., n257, n258, n261)
| Band | Frequency Range (MHz) | FR |
|---|---|---|
| n41 | 2496 – 2690 | FR1 |
| n78 | 3300 – 3800 | FR1 |
| n257 | 26500 – 29500 | FR2 |
| n258 | 24250 – 27500 | FR2 |
| n261 | 27500 – 28350 | FR2 |
This tool automatically detects the NR band based on the frequency.
January 31, 2026