Equal Temperament Fret Position Calculator
Calculate nut-to-fret positions and successive spacings for an entered scale length and equal octave division.
YOUR CALCULATION
Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Each equal-tempered step shortens the remaining ideal string by the same factor. Subtract remaining length from full scale for the fret position.
Position_n=L(1−2^(−n/divisions)); remaining length=L×2^(−n/divisions)
Worked example
With 650 mm scale and twelve equal steps per octave, fret 12 is 325 mm from the nut and fret 24 is 487.5 mm from the nut.
Assumptions and input details
Reference positions for ideal equal-tempered pitch only. No bridge/nut compensation, action, string stiffness, construction tolerance or intonation prediction. Divisions 1–72 and listed frets 1–72; a fractional octave division is not supported. The graph is position versus fret number, not an instrument drawing.
References: StewMac: fret scale reference
Unit definitions
Unit selection is independent of language. Each selector contains only units for its physical quantity. Calculations use defined base units internally.
Choose from 23 length definitions, including explicitly labelled regional measures. Area conversions square the length factor; geometric volumes cube it.
Regional measures are not interchangeable merely because their names look similar. This is a documented selection, not a claim to include every historical unit.
NIST measurement tables · Japanese traditional units · Mainland China and Hong Kong unit distinctions
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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