The fret scale calculator
Please scroll to the list of common guitar scale lengths for scale conversions.
nut
previous
fret
Downloads (beta)
Download the calculated fret positions as SVG (beta) or DXF (not fully tested). There is also an option to download a SVG with dot markers; handy for navigating the frets. The SVG with dot markers has the width set to include the bridge position.
The height of the fret markers should be 100 mm; check that and the individual fret positions against the table above before committing to the wood.
There are various online file converters where the downloaded SVG can be uploded for further conversion to other file formats (E.g. pdf, eps or png).
Donations
The fret calculator is in every posible way free to use. If you find this tool useful, please consider buying me a coffee. Cheers!
About
The Elplanka fret calculator provides metric friendy fret position charts. The values are calculated with full decimals and each value is rounded just before output for convenient two decimal values.
Copy CSV
There is a feature that let you copy the calculated position in to a handy csv sequence (comma separated values) makes transferring the values to your favorite software (E.g. design, CNC, Excel) a breeze.
Download SVG and DXF
The calculated fret positions can be downloaded as SVG or DXF to be used as printable template or in a CNC machine. Please note the importance of measuring once, twice and thrice before doing any woodwork
Usage
When positioning the bridge the probably easiest way is to place the bridge on the instrument and measure carefully with a long ruler, taking the three dimensional positioning into account.
Other channels
Rule of 18
Finding the octave on a guitar or bass is easy. If a string is shortened to half it's length 2, the cycles it vibrates in any given time will double; 440 Hz will become 880 Hz, an octave above.
18, or rather 17.817, is the magic number when positioning frets.
By dividing the scale length by 17.817 we get the position of the first fret. Subtract the position of the first fret from the scale length and we got a new scale length for the second fret; by dividing the new scale length by 17.817 we get the position of the second fret. Rinse and repeat.
Reducing risk of errors
There are a number of fret calculating tools available, why should you use this one? Most of the tools available are developed with imperial measurements in mind. When using metric measurements they will render too precise when it comes to the number of decimals. Not a big deal, but numbers are error prone.
Common scale lenghts
| Imperial (inch) | Metric (mm) | Guitars |
|---|---|---|
| 22.5 | 571.5 | |
| 24 | 609.6 | Jaguar |
| 24.5 | 622.3 | |
| 24 9/16 | 623.89 | Gibson (1959-1969, 1992 -) |
| 24 5/8 | 625.48 | Gibson (1969-1992) |
| 24.75 (24 3/4) | 628.65 | Gibson, advertised (pre 1953) |
| 25 | 635 | PRS |
| 25.5 | 647.7 | Strat, tele |
| 26 | 660.4 | |
| 26.5 | 673.1 | |
| 27 | 685.8 | |
| 28 | 711.2 | |
| 29 | 736.6 | |
| 30 | 762 | |
| 31 | 787.4 | |
| 32 | 812.8 | |
| 33 | 838.2 | |
| 34 | 863.6 | |
| 35 | 889 | |
| 36 | 914.4 |