Enter your Sprung Mass (Corner Weight), Spring Rate, and Motion Ratio into the Ride Frequency Calculator to find your Ride Frequency, Wheel Rate, oscillation Period, and a Suspension Category that tells you where your setup lands — from ultra-soft limo to full race stiffness.
Ride Frequency
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Wheel Rate
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Suspension Category
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Period
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Ride frequency is the natural oscillation rate of your suspension system, measured in Hz. It determines how your car responds to bumps and affects both comfort and handling. Optimal frequencies balance performance with ride quality.
Comfort cars typically use 1.0-1.3 Hz, sports cars 1.3-2.0 Hz, and race cars 2.0-3.5 Hz or higher. Lower frequencies provide better comfort while higher frequencies improve handling response and reduce body roll.
Motion ratio is the relationship between wheel movement and spring compression. A lower motion ratio means the spring compresses less than the wheel moves, effectively multiplying the spring rate at the wheel contact patch.
Spring rate is the actual stiffness of the coil spring, while wheel rate is the effective rate felt at the wheel after accounting for motion ratio. Wheel rate = Spring rate × (Motion ratio)².
Motion ratios vary by suspension design. MacPherson struts typically have 0.8-1.0 ratios, while multi-link systems can range from 0.5-1.2. Check your suspension manufacturer's specifications or measure it directly.
Yes, but calculate front and rear independently as they typically have different motion ratios, spring rates, and corner weights. Many vehicles run different frequencies front and rear for optimal balance.
Corner weight is the mass supported by each spring. Heavier corners require stiffer springs to maintain the same frequency. Use your vehicle's actual corner weights from corner balancing for most accurate results.
Not necessarily. Many performance setups use slightly higher rear frequencies (stiffer) to reduce understeer and improve turn-in response. The difference is typically 0.1-0.3 Hz between front and rear.