Methods and apparatuses for adaptive subcarrier spacing in wireless communication networks are described. For example, the described aspects include transmitting, from the UE to a network entity, a first PRACH transmission with a first subcarrier spacing; determining, by the UE, that the first PRACH transmission to the network entity is not successful; and transmitting, from the UE, a second PRACH transmission with a second subcarrier spacing in response to determining that the first PRACH transmission is not successful, wherein the first subcarrier spacing is different from the second subcarrier spacing.