Explainer
Radio frequencies explained: how to find “101.1 FM” or “1010 AM”
Short answer
A number like 101.1 FM is the frequency a station uses in its own area, in megahertz (MHz); 1010 AM is in kilohertz (kHz). The same number is reused by different stations in different cities, so to find one online, search for its name or call sign rather than its frequency, or browse stations by country and city.
Millions of searches every month are just a frequency: “101.5 FM”, “98.5 radio”, “640 AM”. The number alone rarely identifies one station. Here is what it means, and the quickest way to find the station you want.
What does the number mean?
Each station transmits on a frequency, the number on your radio dial. On FM it is given in megahertz: 101.1 FM means 101.1 MHz. On AM it is given in kilohertz: 1010 AM means 1010 kHz. That is why AM numbers have three or four digits and FM numbers have a decimal.
Station names often include their frequency, like “Hot 97”, “Magic 106.7” or “1010 WINS”. Those names stay the same online even though the stream itself has no frequency.
Why many stations share one frequency
FM signals reach roughly 50 to 100 km, AM signals a few hundred. Regulators can therefore give the same frequency to stations in different cities without them interfering. A search for “101.1 FM” can mean a pop station in one country, a talk station in another and a local station in a third.
When you search a frequency, add the city or the station’s name: “101.1 FM Toronto” or “101.1 The Fox”, for example.
How frequencies differ by region
| Region | FM band | FM steps | AM (medium wave) | AM steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 87.9–107.9 MHz | 0.2 MHz, odd decimals | 530–1700 kHz | 10 kHz |
| Europe, Africa, Middle East | 87.5–108 MHz | 0.1 MHz | 531–1602 kHz | 9 kHz |
| Asia and Oceania | 87.5–108 MHz (Japan 76–95) | 0.1 MHz | 531–1602 kHz | 9 kHz |
So “94.2” cannot be a US FM station, and “1010” cannot be a European AM frequency (it would be 1008 or 1017). The number alone often tells you the region.
Call signs: KXXX and WXXX
In the United States, stations have call signs. Most stations west of the Mississippi start with K (like KFI or KQED) and most stations east of it start with W (like WQXR or WIP), with a few historic exceptions. Canadian call signs start with C, Mexican ones with X. Searching a call sign is the fastest way to find an American station online.
How to find the station online
- Search by name or call sign in the search box, not by the number: “Virgin Radio”, “KEXP”, “Jack FM”.
- Browse by country from all countries; large countries can be filtered by region or state.
- Use the map: on the radio map, zoom into a city to list the stations there.
- Check the station page: it shows the city and the station’s own website, so you can be sure it is the right one.
Once you have found it, the stream plays the same programme as the frequency, wherever you are.
Frequency or stream: which is better?
On the air, a station only reaches its own area, but costs no data. Online, you can listen from anywhere, including stations from your home town when you travel. Some stations replace ads or block a few programmes online for rights reasons, but most stream exactly what they broadcast. Our guide to FM, AM, DAB+ and internet radio compares the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does 101.1 FM mean?
It is a frequency of 101.1 megahertz on the FM band. Many stations in different cities use it; add the city or the station name to find the one you mean.
What is the difference between MHz and kHz on the radio?
FM frequencies are in megahertz (millions of cycles per second), AM frequencies in kilohertz (thousands). 1 MHz equals 1000 kHz.
Why do US FM stations end in odd numbers?
FM channels in the Americas are spaced 200 kHz apart and centred on odd decimals, from 88.1 to 107.9 MHz.
How can I listen to a station from another city?
Search for it by name or call sign and play its online stream. Internet radio has no range limit.
Can I find a station if I only know its frequency?
Yes, if you also know the city. Open the country on Radio Marble or the radio map and look at the stations of that city.
Written and checked by the Radio Marble team on October 23, 2026. Station names and logos belong to their owners; streams come from the stations themselves.
