A frequency error of received signals in an OFDM receiver of a wireless communications system is determined. Symbols of a given duration are transmitted as cells on sub-carrier frequencies; and some of the cells are pilot cells modulated with reference information. The method comprises the steps of selecting at least three pilot cells (p0, p1, p2) from different symbols and different sub-carriers; determining the symbol and the sub-carrier on which each pilot cell is transmitted; determining for each pilot cell a phase difference between received and generated signals; calculating therefrom a change in phase difference (Φx) caused by the frequency error; and calculating the frequency error from the calculated change in phase difference (Φx). In this way a receiver capable of determining a frequency error also in situations where only a short data burst, such as a single resource block, is available for the estimation is provided.