Spectral lines are split by spin spin coupling into multiplets whose frequencies are separated by an amount depending on the coupling constant, J. The magnitude of J is independent of the strength of the applied magnetic field and is given in units of frequency, Hz.

A pattern of multiple resonance's (spectral lines) observed when the initially single Larmor frequency of a given nucleus in a spin system is split by interactions with neighboring spins through the scalar or spin spin interaction. The magnitude of this interaction is independent of the applied magnetic field and is referred to as J, the spin spin coupling constant. The specific pattern produced depends on the number of coupled nuclei and their spin quantum numbers.

NMR spectral lines may consist of groups of lines called multiplets. This multiplet structure is caused by interactions between nuclei that split the NMR energy levels and result in the observation of multiple allowed transitions separated by an amount of energy related to J, the spin spin coupling constant. These interactions are called spin spin coupling.