Convert hertz to revolutions per minute.
Hz to rpm — formula, reference values, and a live converter.
Convert hertz (Hz) to revolutions per minute (rpm). This is a fixed-ratio conversion — multiply the input by the factor below.
Formula
rpm = Hz × 60
Reference values
| Hz (hertz) | rpm (revolutions per minute) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 Hz | 6 rpm |
| 0.5 Hz | 30 rpm |
| 1 Hz | 60 rpm |
| 2 Hz | 120 rpm |
| 5 Hz | 300 rpm |
| 10 Hz | 600 rpm |
| 50 Hz | 3000 rpm |
| 100 Hz | 6000 rpm |
Things to watch for
- 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second. Standardized in 1930 (named after Heinrich Hertz).
- RPM (revolutions per minute) is widely used for motors and engines. 1 rpm = 1/60 Hz ≈ 0.01667 Hz.
- Radians per second (rad/s) is the angular frequency used in physics equations. ω = 2π × f.
What is a hertz?
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second. Mains electricity (50 Hz in Europe, 60 Hz in North America), audio (20 Hz to 20 kHz human hearing), and processor clock speeds.
What is a revolution per minute?
One rpm equals exactly 1/60 hertz — one full revolution per minute. Engine speeds, motor specifications, hard-drive spin rates, and machining spindles.
Real-world examples of Hz
To put the unit in perspective, here are a few real-world examples.
- 1 Hz — one tick per second — like a slow clock.
- 50 Hz — mains electricity frequency in Europe and most of Asia.
- 60 Hz — mains electricity frequency in North America.
How to convert hertz to revolution per minute
To convert a value from hertz (Hz) to revolution per minute (rpm), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.
Steps:
- Take your input value in Hz.
- Apply the formula
rpm = Hz × 60. - The result is your value in rpm.
For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Hz to rpm?
Apply the formula Hz → rpm shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.
Which is bigger, Hz or rpm?
This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then rpm is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then rpm is the larger unit.
When would I use Hz versus rpm?
Both units measure frequency, so the choice depends on context. Hertz is typically used for electronics, audio, and mechanical rotation; revolution per minute similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.
How precise is this Hz to rpm conversion?
The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.
Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?
Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.