Other Calculators

Guitar Fret Calculator

Calculate the exact distance from the nut to any fret on a guitar or other stringed instrument, based on its scale length.

Distance from nut —

Distance from bridge —

Spacing from previous fret —

About the Guitar Fret Calculator

Frets are not spaced evenly along a guitar neck — each one sits at a position determined by the twelfth root of two, the same ratio used in equal-temperament musical tuning, so each fret raises the pitch by exactly one semitone.

Formula: Distance from Nut = Scale Length × (1 − 1 ÷ 2^(Fret Number ÷ 12))

Luthiers and guitar builders use this exact formula to mark fret slots when building or refretting an instrument. The 12th fret always falls at exactly half the scale length, which is a useful check when measuring an existing instrument.