How to test if my oscillator is working?

[davidleverett30]

I am currently making a digital clock out of logic gates and an oscillator.

I would like to check the output of the oscillator before using it in my project.

What is the ideal way to test the oscillator? Using a multi-meter and it's frequency feature or my oscilloscope?

[MosherIV]

Oscilloscope

[SeanB]

Both of them will work. The multimeter will give the frequency only, and the scope will show you the frequency, the voltage and just how bad a waveform can be in a digital signal and still work. But both are valid, and usable.

A frequency counter will however have more resolution and probably slightly better accuracy.

[Brumby]

To see what is actually happening, definitely start with the scope.

Once you know that it works and what the signal looks like, you will know if it is sufficient to drive your meter's frequency measurement.

Timing accuracy and stability will be dependent on the oscillator - and measurement thereof dependent on the meter's capability.