An improved coarse tuning process for fractional-N frequency synthesizers is provided. In general, a coarse tuning circuit controls a phase lock loop (PLL) of a frequency synthesizer such that the phase lock loop operates in an integer division mode during coarse tuning, thereby eliminating jitter due to fractional-N operation during coarse tuning. The coarse tuning circuit includes divide value generation circuitry that provides an integer divide value to an N divider of the PLL during coarse tuning and a fractional-N sequence to the N divider during fractional-N operation.