Simple Explanation

How fast sound waves vibrate—faster vibrations make higher-pitched sounds, slower ones make lower sounds.

Concise Technical Definition

The number of cycles (oscillations) of a periodic waveform that occur in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like how many times a guitar string wiggles each second—more wiggles = higher pitch.

Industry Usage Summary

Frequency determines pitch and is essential in everything from audio tuning to speaker design. Human hearing generally spans 20 Hz to 20 kHz, though this shrinks with age. Frequencies below 20 Hz (infrasonics) are felt rather than heard.

Engineering Shortcut

Cycles per second (Hz); 1 Hz = 1 wave/second. Determines pitch.

Full Technical Explanation

Frequency refers to the number of complete cycles of a sound wave that occur per second, expressed in Hertz (Hz). In audio, frequency is directly related to pitch—higher frequencies are perceived as higher-pitched sounds. The audible range for humans is generally 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), though many adults hear only up to 15 kHz–16 kHz. Sub-audible frequencies below 20 Hz (infrasonics) are often sensed through physical vibration rather than hearing. Audio signals can contain multiple frequencies at once, and understanding their distribution is crucial for mixing, EQ, speaker design, and psychoacoustics. Frequencies may be distributed linearly or more commonly on a logarithmic scale in music and audio analysis.