FRS (Family Radio Service) has 22 channels: 1-7 and 15-22 at 462 MHz with up to 2 watts, and 8-14 at 467 MHz with up to 0.5 watt. No license is needed, and every FRS channel is shared with GMRS.
The chart below is copied from the FCC rules, 47 CFR 95.563 for the channels and 95.567 for power, read on October 13, 2026.
The FRS channel chart
| Ch | Frequency (MHz) | FRS max power | GMRS on the same channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 462.5625 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 2 | 462.5875 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 3 | 462.6125 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 4 | 462.6375 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 5 | 462.6625 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 6 | 462.6875 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 7 | 462.7125 | 2 W ERP | 5 W ERP |
| 8 | 467.5625 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 9 | 467.5875 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 10 | 467.6125 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 11 | 467.6375 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 12 | 467.6625 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 13 | 467.6875 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 14 | 467.7125 | 0.5 W ERP | 0.5 W ERP, handhelds only |
| 15 | 462.5500 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 16 | 462.5750 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 17 | 462.6000 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 18 | 462.6250 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 19 | 462.6500 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 20 | 462.6750 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 21 | 462.7000 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
| 22 | 462.7250 | 2 W ERP | Up to 50 W output (mobile/base) |
Every FRS channel is 12.5 kHz wide (95.563). ERP is effective radiated power, measured with the antenna. GMRS limits from 95.1767, shown for comparison; they apply only to licensed GMRS radios.
Where this comes from
Channel frequencies, power and antenna rules are from Part 95 Subpart B of the eCFR, current to October 9, 2026. FRS once had 14 channels at half a watt; the FCC's 2017 Personal Radio Services reform, effective September 28, 2017, added channels 15-22 to FRS and raised the limit to 2 watts on 1-7 and 15-22, as RadioReference's combined channel chart documents. Charts printed before then are out of date. How we research.
Why your radio shows 16, 22 or 36 channels
The FCC defines 22 FRS channels, but boxes print all sorts of numbers:
- Fewer than 22: some FRS radios, like the Retevis RT22, list 16 channels. A radio like that uses a subset, and its channel 5 isn't guaranteed to be FRS channel 5. Check the manual's frequency table before mixing brands.
- More than 22: the Midland LXT600VP3 listing advertises "36 FRS channels." The extra channels are FRS frequencies with a privacy code preset, a convenience RadioReference maps for Midland and Cobra models. They aren't extra frequencies.
- Exactly 22 with codes: the Motorola T605 H2O lists 22 channels and 121 privacy codes for "2,662 combinations." The radio still has 22 channels.
When a mixed group can't hear each other, set everyone to the same numbered channel with privacy codes off. If that fails, someone's radio numbers channels differently.
How FRS and GMRS share channels
All 22 FRS channels are also GMRS channels (95.563), and the GMRS rules let licensed GMRS stations talk with FRS units (95.1731). That means a license-free FRS radio in a kid's pocket can talk to a parent's GMRS radio. The differences are all on the GMRS side: more power, removable antennas, repeaters and eight extra repeater-input frequencies. The GMRS channel chart lists all 30, and GMRS vs FRS explains when the $35 license is worth it.
FRS rules worth knowing
- No license: FRS is licensed by rule (95.305).
- The antenna must be built in and can't be removed, and its gain can't exceed a half-wave dipole (95.587). So there's no legal antenna upgrade for an FRS radio.
- FRS radios may send short data bursts with a location or a brief text message to another FRS or GMRS unit, each no longer than one second and no more than one every 30 seconds (95.587).
- Since September 30, 2019, radios that work on FRS and another licensed service can't be made, imported or sold (95.587, 95.591). That's why new radios are labeled either FRS or GMRS, not both.
- Privacy codes only filter what your radio plays. Anyone on the channel with codes off hears you (95.377). See privacy codes explained.
- A programmable ham radio like a Baofeng UV-5R isn't certified for FRS, so it can't legally transmit on FRS channels even at low power.
Channels groups have adopted
No FRS channel is reserved by the FCC. Some groups have picked channel and code combinations of their own, as listed on RadioReference's FRS page:
| Channel / code | Used by |
|---|---|
| 1, no code | National SOS Radio Network |
| 3, no code | AmRRON channel 3 project |
| 20, code 22 | Traveler information and assistance |
Treat these as places someone might be listening, not as guaranteed help. In a real emergency, call on any channel and keep trying; GMRS operators must give emergency traffic priority on every channel, including the shared ones (95.1731). Our family emergency radio plan builds a channel plan around this.
Using FRS outside the US
RadioReference notes that Canada has approved standard FRS radios since 2000. Europe runs a different license-free service, PMR446, around 446 MHz, so US FRS radios generally aren't authorized there. On a cruise or a trip abroad, check the local rules before you transmit; our walkie-talkies for cruises guide covers ships specifically.
Keep a copy
Our printable FRS and GMRS frequency chart fits on one page. For a go-bag, a waterproof card like this GMRS, FRS and MURS mini reference card does the same job and survives rain.
Checked October 13, 2026 against eCFR 47 CFR Part 95 (current to October 9, 2026): 95.563 · 95.567 · 95.587 · 95.591 · 95.1767. Product details from Amazon listings, October 13, 2026. How we research · Affiliate disclosure