Kilohertz

Kilohertz abbreviated kHz, is a unit of frequency. One hertz (Hz) means one cycle per second and 1,000 hertz equals one kHz, so one kHz equals 1,000 cycles per second. Hz is named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz who made considerable contributions to electromagnetism.

 

In computers, the CPU (central processing unit) and other components such as RAM are measured in kHz or MHz (Megahertz) and now GHz (Gigahertz).

 

One KHz equals 1,000 (one thousand) Hz, while 1,000,000 (one million) Hz or 1,000 kHz equals one MHz, and 1,000,000,000 (one billion) Hz or 1,000,000 kHz equals one GHz. Hopefully the table below will make it a little bit easier to understand.

Hertz	1 Hz	0.001 kHz	0.000001 MHz
Kilohertz	1,000 Hz	1 kHz	0.001 MHz
Megahertz	1,000,000 Hz	1,000 kHz	1 MHz
Gigahertz	1,000,000,000 Hz	1,000,000 kHz	1,000 MHz

 

A common example of kHz is: A Pentium II CPU (300,000 KHz), running at 300,000,000 hertz.

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Related Terms

• Hertz
• Megahertz
• Gigahertz
• Megahertz Myth

 

More Computer Terms

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