Fret Position Calculator Mm

Determine the exact position of a fret on a stringed instrument in millimeters using our fret position calculator. This tool helps musicians, luthiers, and music enthusiasts calculate precise fret positions for guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments.

What is fret position?

Fret position refers to the location of a fret on a stringed instrument's neck. Frets are metal strips that divide the strings into specific pitches. The position of each fret is measured from the nut (the end of the neck where the strings are attached) to the fret itself.

Understanding fret positions is essential for musicians to play in tune and for luthiers to set up instruments correctly. The distance between frets increases as you move up the neck, following a logarithmic scale.

How to calculate fret position

Calculating fret positions involves understanding the scale length of the instrument and the mathematical relationship between frets. The scale length is the distance from the nut to the bridge on a stringed instrument.

The position of each fret can be calculated using the following steps:

Determine the scale length of the instrument in millimeters.
Identify the fret number you want to calculate (starting from 0 at the nut).
Use the fret position formula to calculate the distance from the nut to the desired fret.

The formula accounts for the logarithmic spacing of frets, which means each fret is not equally spaced but follows a specific mathematical progression.

Fret position formula

The position of the nth fret (measured from the nut) can be calculated using the following formula:

Fret position (mm) = Scale length × (1 - 2^(-n/12))

Where:

Scale length is the distance from the nut to the bridge in millimeters.
n is the fret number (0 for the nut, 1 for the first fret, etc.).

This formula accounts for the logarithmic spacing of frets, which means each fret is not equally spaced but follows a specific mathematical progression.

Example calculation

Let's calculate the position of the 12th fret on a guitar with a scale length of 647 mm.

Fret position = 647 × (1 - 2^(-12/12))

Fret position = 647 × (1 - 2^(-1))

Fret position = 647 × (1 - 0.5)

Fret position = 647 × 0.5

Fret position = 323.5 mm

So, the 12th fret is located 323.5 mm from the nut.

Fret position table

Here's a table showing the positions of the first 24 frets on a standard guitar with a scale length of 647 mm:

Fret Number	Position from Nut (mm)
0 (Nut)	0.0
1	38.1
2	76.2
3	114.3
4	152.4
5	190.5
6	228.6
7	266.7
8	304.8
9	342.9
10	381.0
11	419.1
12	457.2
13	495.3
14	533.4
15	571.5
16	609.6
17	647.7
18	685.8
19	723.9
20	762.0
21	800.1
22	838.2
23	876.3
24	914.4

This table provides a quick reference for musicians and luthiers to find the exact position of any fret on a standard guitar.

FAQ

What is the difference between fret position and fret number?

Fret number refers to the position of a fret in sequence (1st fret, 2nd fret, etc.), while fret position refers to the actual distance from the nut to that fret in millimeters.

How does the scale length affect fret positions?

The scale length directly affects fret positions. A longer scale length results in longer distances between frets, while a shorter scale length results in shorter distances.

Can I use this calculator for bass guitars?

Yes, you can use this calculator for bass guitars. The formula and calculations are the same, but you should use the appropriate scale length for the bass guitar.

Why are frets not equally spaced?

Frets are not equally spaced because they follow a logarithmic scale. This means each fret represents a specific musical interval, creating a more harmonious sound across the instrument.

How accurate is this calculator?

This calculator provides highly accurate results based on the standard fret position formula. For professional use, you may want to verify measurements with a physical measuring tool.