GMRS Channels and Frequencies

All 22 GMRS channels with frequencies, power limits and repeater inputs, plus how the $35 FCC GMRS license works and which channels FRS radios share.

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is the step up from license-free FRS walkie-talkies. It uses the same 22 channel frequencies, but licensed GMRS radios may run more power, use detachable and roof-mounted antennas, and talk through repeaters, which is what turns a 1–2 mile handheld into a 20+ mile family network.

For a household emergency plan, GMRS is often the most practical two-way radio: one license covers your immediate family, there is no test, and the radios are inexpensive.

GMRS channel chart (FCC 47 CFR 95.1763)

Channel	Frequency (MHz)	GMRS max power	FRS max power	Notes
1	462.5625	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
2	462.5875	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
3	462.6125	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
4	462.6375	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
5	462.6625	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
6	462.6875	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
7	462.7125	5 W ERP	2 W ERP	Shared with FRS
8	467.5625	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
9	467.5875	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
10	467.6125	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
11	467.6375	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
12	467.6625	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
13	467.6875	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
14	467.7125	0.5 W ERP	0.5 W ERP	Shared with FRS; low power only
15	462.5500	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.5500 MHz)
16	462.5750	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.5750 MHz)
17	462.6000	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.6000 MHz)
18	462.6250	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.6250 MHz)
19	462.6500	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.6500 MHz)
20	462.6750	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.6750 MHz)
21	462.7000	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.7000 MHz)
22	462.7250	50 W	2 W ERP	Main channel; repeater output (input 467.7250 MHz)

GMRS repeater channels (+5 MHz offset)

Repeater channel	Radio transmits (input, MHz)	Repeater transmits (output, MHz)
RP15	467.5500	462.5500
RP16	467.5750	462.5750
RP17	467.6000	462.6000
RP18	467.6250	462.6250
RP19	467.6500	462.6500
RP20	467.6750	462.6750
RP21	467.7000	462.7000
RP22	467.7250	462.7250

Licensing and rules

Transmitting on GMRS requires an FCC GMRS license. It is issued without an exam, costs $35, is valid for 10 years and covers your immediate family members. You must be at least 18 to apply.
Identify with your call sign at the end of a transmission or series of transmissions, and at least every 15 minutes during a long exchange.
Repeaters on channels 15–22 are often privately owned and need a CTCSS or DCS tone; ask the owner before using one.

Practical tips

Program the repeater pairs (RP15–RP22) as well as simplex channels: in a real outage a local repeater can be the difference between 2 and 25 miles.
Many groups informally monitor channel 20 (462.675 MHz) for emergencies and traveler assistance, often with a 141.3 Hz tone. That is a convention, not an FCC rule.
Privacy codes (CTCSS/DCS) only filter what you hear; anyone on the channel can still hear you.
Write your family’s primary and backup channel into your communication plan before you need it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license for GMRS?

Yes. Transmitting on GMRS requires an FCC GMRS license. It costs $35, requires no exam, lasts 10 years and covers your immediate family.

What is the difference between GMRS and FRS channels?

They use the same 22 frequencies. FRS is license-free but limited to 2 watts (0.5 watts on channels 8–14) with a fixed antenna and no repeaters; GMRS allows up to 50 watts on channels 15–22, detachable antennas and repeaters.

What is the GMRS repeater offset?

GMRS repeaters receive 5 MHz higher than they transmit: you transmit on 467.550–467.725 MHz and the repeater retransmits on 462.550–462.725 MHz (channels 15–22).