Convert Megahertz to Kilohertz
Megahertz to kilohertz is the conversion you need when a frequency is quoted in MHz but the tool or band you're working with counts in kHz. One megahertz is exactly 1000 kilohertz, so the kilohertz number always comes out a thousand times larger.
Megahertz to Kilohertz conversion table
| Megahertz (MHz) | Kilohertz (kHz) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 2,000 |
| 3 | 3,000 |
| 5 | 5,000 |
| 10 | 10,000 |
| 20 | 20,000 |
| 50 | 50,000 |
| 100 | 100,000 |
| 500 | 500,000 |
| 1,000 | 1,000,000 |
The formula
To convert megahertz to kilohertz, multiply the number of megahertz by 1000:
kilohertz = megahertz × 1000
A worked example
Say you have 2.4 MHz and want it in kilohertz:
2.4 × 1000 = 2400 kHz
So 2.4 megahertz is exactly 2400 kilohertz.
Why the number is exact
The prefixes "mega" and "kilo" are defined as exactly one million and exactly one thousand, one power of 1000 apart. Stepping from MHz to kHz is just moving the decimal three places — an exact decade step — so 1 MHz is exactly 1000 kHz, with no measurement or rounding involved.
When you'll use it
Lining up FM radio, CPU and RAM clocks, or a radio band quoted in MHz against equipment, audio gear, or older specs that count in kilohertz.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilohertz are in a megahertz?
Exactly 1000 kilohertz. Both prefixes are exact powers of 1000 — 'mega' is a million and 'kilo' is a thousand — so one megahertz is a thousand kilohertz, a fixed number, not a rounded one.
Why is the step exactly 1000 and not something messier?
Because kilo and mega are decade prefixes that sit one power of 1000 apart. Going from MHz to kHz moves the decimal three places, so the factor is exactly 1000 every time.
Is the megahertz to kilohertz conversion exact?
Yes. 'Mega' is exactly one million and 'kilo' is exactly one thousand, so 1 MHz is exactly 1000 kHz with nothing rounded away.