The hertz is one cycle per second.
Hertz to Revolutions per minute Converter — Hz to rpm
Convert Hertz (Hz) to Revolutions per minute (rpm) using the exact conversion factor (1 hertz = 60 revolutions per minute). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Hertz to Revolutions per minute converter
Converter
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Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Revolutions per minute converted to hertz.
Result = input x 1 / 0.01666666667.
Frequency units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Hertz to Revolutions per minute
Hertz and Revolutions per minute are both scientific-measurement units, spanning everything from atomic and laboratory scales to astronomical distances — the kind of conversion that comes up constantly in physics, chemistry, and astronomy when a result needs to move between conventions used in different subfields. Hertz is typically associated with standard scientific unit worldwide; also everyday (AC power frequency, radio, audio), while Revolutions per minute is typically associated with used worldwide in automotive, mechanical, and industrial contexts.
Formula
revolutions per minute = hertz × 60
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 hertz equals 1 base unit, and 1 revolutions per minute equals 0.0166666666667 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct hertz-to-revolutions per minute factor of 60.
Simple example
1 Hz × 60 = 60 rpm
1 hertz = 60 revolutions per minute.
Real-world example
10 Hz × 60 = 600 rpm
10 hertz = 600 revolutions per minute.
Conversion table
| Hertz (Hz) | Revolutions per minute (rpm) |
|---|---|
| 0.001 Hz | 0.06 rpm |
| 0.01 Hz | 0.6 rpm |
| 1 Hz | 60 rpm |
| 10 Hz | 600 rpm |
| 100 Hz | 6,000 rpm |
| 1,000 Hz | 60,000 rpm |
Reverse conversion: Revolutions per minute to Hertz
60 rpm × 0.01666666667 = 1 Hz
60 revolutions per minute = 1 hertz.
hertz = revolutions per minute × 0.0166666666667
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Revolutions per minute to Hertz.
Hertz vs. Revolutions per minute
| Aspect | Hertz | Revolutions per minute |
|---|---|---|
| Family | SI derived unit | Non-SI unit (mechanical/automotive) |
| Typical use | Electrical power frequency (50/60 Hz worldwide) | Engine and motor speed specifications (car tachometers) |
| Where it's used | Standard scientific unit worldwide; also everyday (AC power frequency, radio, audio) | Used worldwide in automotive, mechanical, and industrial contexts |
Understanding the Hertz
Hertz (Hz) measures frequency. The hertz is the SI derived unit of frequency: one cycle per second. It is classified as a SI derived unit.
Where it's used: Standard scientific unit worldwide; also everyday (AC power frequency, radio, audio)
Uses of the Hertz today
- Electrical power frequency (50/60 Hz worldwide)
- Radio, audio, and signal processing
- Computer processor clock speeds (GHz)
History of the Hertz
The hertz is named after Heinrich Hertz, who in 1886-1889 was the first to conclusively demonstrate the existence of electromagnetic waves predicted by Maxwell's equations. The unit ('cycles per second') was renamed in his honor and adopted internationally in 1930, becoming the SI derived unit of frequency in 1960.
Historical origin. Hertz was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Revolutions per minute
Revolutions per minute (rpm) measures rotational speed. RPM (revolutions per minute) equals hertz divided by 60, since one revolution per minute is 1/60 of a cycle per second. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (mechanical/automotive).
Where it's used: Used worldwide in automotive, mechanical, and industrial contexts
Uses of the Revolutions per minute today
- Engine and motor speed specifications (car tachometers)
- Industrial machinery and turbine speed ratings
- Hard drive and disc rotational speed
History of the Revolutions per minute
RPM developed alongside rotating machinery in the 19th-century industrial era as a practical, directly-readable way to describe rotational speed (a tachometer counting revolutions per minute), rather than converting to the more abstract cycles-per-second used in physics.
Historical origin. Revolutions per minute was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Hertz — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Coherent derived units — Defines the hertz as the SI unit of frequency.
Revolutions per minute — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — General guide to non-SI unit conventions including rotational speed.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many revolutions per minute are in 1 hertz?
1 hertz equals 60 revolutions per minute, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert hertz to revolutions per minute?
Multiply the hertz value by 60. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert revolutions per minute back to hertz?
Use the reverse factor: 1 revolutions per minute equals 0.0166666667 hertz. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a hertz?
Hertz (Hz) measures frequency. The hertz is the SI derived unit of frequency: one cycle per second. It is classified as a SI derived unit.
What is a revolutions per minute?
Revolutions per minute (rpm) measures rotational speed. RPM (revolutions per minute) equals hertz divided by 60, since one revolution per minute is 1/60 of a cycle per second. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (mechanical/automotive).
Is the hertz to revolutions per minute conversion exact?
Yes. Both hertz and revolutions per minute are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 60 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the hertz still used today?
Standard scientific unit worldwide; also everyday (AC power frequency, radio, audio)
Why does this category span everything from atomic to astronomical scales?
Scientific work spans an enormous range of physical scales, from atomic distances (measured in angstroms or atomic mass units) to interstellar distances (measured in astronomical units or parsecs), so this category groups SI-derived and scale-specific units that researchers commonly need to convert between within their field.