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Wien Bridge Oscillator Frequency Calculator

Enter R in kΩ and C in nF to find the oscillator frequency.

Result

994.72 Hz
6,250.00 rad/s
1.0053 ms

How it is calculated

The tool assumes the standard Wien bridge with equal resistors and equal capacitors in both arms. Resistance R is entered in kΩ and capacitance C in nF, then converted to ohms (× 1,000) and farads (× 10⁻⁹). The frequency is f = 1 ÷ (2π·R·C). It also shows the angular frequency ω = 2π·f, which equals 1 ÷ (R·C), in rad/s and the period T = 1 ÷ f in milliseconds. Values of 1,000 Hz or more are displayed in kHz. Both inputs must be above zero. The result is the ideal frequency from the component values; it does not check amplifier gain, which the circuit needs for oscillation to start and hold, nor component tolerance.

Worked example

Take R = 10 kΩ and C = 16 nF. In base units R = 10,000 Ω and C = 16 × 10⁻⁹ F, so R·C = 0.00016 s. Then f = 1 ÷ (2π × 0.00016) = 1 ÷ 0.0010053 = 994.72 Hz. Angular frequency ω = 1 ÷ 0.00016 = 6,250.00 rad/s. Period: 1 ÷ 994.72 = 1.0053 ms.

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Common mistakes

  • Entering R in ohms or C in microfarads. The fields are kΩ and nF, so 10,000 for a 10 kΩ resistor would give a frequency 1,000 times too low.
  • Mixing different R or C values in the two arms. The formula assumes they are equal; with unequal parts the real frequency is different from this result.
  • Expecting the calculated frequency to appear on the scope exactly. Resistor and capacitor tolerances of 5 or 10 percent move it by a similar amount.
  • Forgetting that the oscillator needs enough amplifier gain. The frequency is only half of the design, since too little gain gives no oscillation.
  • Confusing ω in rad/s with f in Hz. They differ by the factor of 2π, so use f when tuning a signal generator.

About this calculator

A Wien bridge oscillator generates a sine wave at a frequency set entirely by its resistor-capacitor network, following f = 1/(2πRC), where R and C are the matched resistor and capacitor values used in both arms of the bridge. This calculator takes R in kilohms and C in nanofarads and returns the resulting oscillation frequency, saving you from converting units and working through the 2π factor by hand.

The Wien bridge topology — invented by Max Wien in 1891 as a measurement bridge, later adapted into an oscillator by William Hewlett (co-founder of Hewlett-Packard) for his first commercial product, an audio oscillator — remains a standard circuit taught in electronics courses and used by audio and RF engineers for generating low-distortion sine waves in signal generators and audio test equipment, precisely because its frequency depends only on passive R and C values rather than active-component tolerances.

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