Simple Explanation

A way to measure sound frequency—1 kHz means 1,000 vibrations per second.

Concise Technical Definition

A unit of frequency equal to 1,000 Hertz (Hz); used to represent frequencies in the mid to high audio range.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like saying something happens 1,000 times per second—kHz just makes it shorter to write.

Industry Usage Summary

Common in audio specs, especially for mid-to-high frequencies (e.g., voice = 1 kHz–4 kHz, treble = 5 kHz–20 kHz); used in EQ, crossover points, and sampling rates.

Engineering Shortcut

1 kHz = 1,000 Hz = 1,000 cycles/second.

Full Technical Explanation

Kilohertz (kHz) is a unit of frequency equal to 1,000 cycles per second, or 1,000 Hertz. It is commonly used in audio engineering and acoustics to refer to mid and high-frequency sounds. For example, human speech primarily occupies the 1 kHz–4 kHz range, while cymbals and other high-frequency instruments often exceed 10 kHz. The prefix "kilo" simply denotes multiplication by 1,000. kHz is also used in digital audio to express sample rates (e.g., 44.1 kHz = 44,100 samples per second). Understanding kHz is essential for interpreting audio specs and adjusting EQ or filters.