Fret Calculator
Find the exact position of any fret on your guitar’s fingerboard based on its scale length.
How fret positions are calculated
Guitar frets are placed using the equal temperament tuning system, where each fret raises the pitch by one semitone. This means each fret’s distance from the bridge is a fixed ratio of the previous one, based on the 12th root of 2 (approximately 1.05946).
The standard formula for the distance from the nut to any fret is: Distance = Scale Length × (1 − 1 / 2^(Fret Number / 12)). Fret 12 always lands at exactly half the scale length, which is why it’s the octave marker on nearly every guitar.
- Scale length is the distance from the nut to the bridge saddle, commonly 25.5 inches (648mm) for many electric guitars or 24.75 inches (629mm) for others.
- Fret spacing gets progressively narrower as you move toward the bridge.
This tool is for general instrument-building and music reference purposes; luthiers should always double-check measurements with precision tools before cutting a fingerboard.