Guitar Fret Distance Calculator

Guitar Fret Distance Calculator

Building or repairing a guitar neck? This calculator gives the precise distance from the nut to any fret using the standard equal-temperament formula luthiers rely on.

Distance = Scale Length - (Scale Length / 2^(Fret/12))

Example

A 648mm scale length (25.5 inches), calculating fret 12:

Distance = 648 - (648 / 2^(12/12)) = 324.00 mm

Why Fret 12 Is Always the Halfway Point

Fret 12 marks exactly half the scale length on any properly fretted instrument, since it represents one full octave above the open string - this is a useful sanity check when laying out or verifying fret positions during a build or repair.

Why Frets Get Closer Together

Each fret divides the remaining string length by the twelfth root of two, the mathematical basis of equal temperament tuning - this is why fret spacing isn't uniform, and frets bunch closer together as you move up toward the body of the instrument.