Fret Calculator

Calculate fret positions for guitar and stringed instruments.

Fretboard Setup

Scale Length

Inches or mm (Units match output)

Number of Frets

Measurement Table

Fret	From Nut	From Last Fret
1	1.431	1.431
2	2.782	1.351
3	4.057	1.275
4	5.261	1.203
5	6.397	1.136
6	7.469	1.072
7	8.481	1.012
8	9.436	0.955
9	10.338	0.902
10	11.189	0.851
11	11.992	0.803
12Octave	12.750	0.758
13	13.466	0.716
14	14.141	0.675
15	14.779	0.638
16	15.380	0.602
17	15.948	0.568
18	16.484	0.536
19	16.990	0.506
20	17.468	0.478
21	17.919	0.451
22	18.344	0.425
23	18.746	0.402
24	19.125	0.379

About this calculator

Overview

Fret placement follows mathematical formula based on scale length. Each fret raises pitch by one semitone. The 12th fret is exactly half the scale length (one octave). Essential for luthiers and instrument builders.

💡

Pro Tips

Standard guitar scale: 25.5" (Fender) or 24.75" (Gibson).
12th fret = half scale length (octave).
Rule of 18: divide remaining length by 17.817 for each fret.
Compensate saddle for intonation accuracy.

Fun Facts

"12th fret is exactly half the scale length."
"Each fret = 100 cents (one semitone)."
"24-fret guitars span two octaves per string."
"Fret width narrows progressively toward body."

Formula: Fret Position = Scale Length - (Scale Length / 2^(n/12)) where n = fret number