🎵 Musical Interval Calculator
Calculate musical intervals between two notes and get interval names with semitone distances
Your Result:
C to G - Perfect Fifth
7 semitones • Ascending interval example
Interval Name
Semitones
🎯 Music Theory Explanation
A Perfect Fifth is one of the most consonant intervals in music, spanning 7 semitones. It's the foundation of many chords and appears frequently in classical and popular music.
How to Use This Musical Interval Calculator
How to Use the Musical Interval Calculator:
- Select your first note from the dropdown menu (this will be your reference note)
- Choose your second note from the dropdown menu
- Select the interval direction:
- Ascending: Calculate interval going up from first to second note
- Descending: Calculate interval going down from first to second note
- Enable "Show enharmonic equivalents" to see alternative note spellings (optional)
- Click "Calculate Interval" to see the interval name and semitone distance
- Review the detailed explanation and music theory context
- Copy or download the results for reference
Pro Tips: Perfect intervals (unison, fourth, fifth, octave) are the most stable, while major/minor intervals create different emotional colors in music!
How It Works
How Musical Interval Calculation Works:
Our interval calculator uses standard music theory principles to determine the relationship between two notes:
- Semitone Mapping: Each note is assigned a chromatic position (C=0, C#=1, D=2, etc.)
- Distance Calculation: The semitone distance is calculated by finding the difference between note positions
- Interval Classification: The semitone count is matched to standard interval names:
- 0 semitones = Unison
- 1 semitone = Minor Second
- 2 semitones = Major Second
- 3 semitones = Minor Third
- 4 semitones = Major Third
- 5 semitones = Perfect Fourth
- 6 semitones = Tritone
- 7 semitones = Perfect Fifth
- 8 semitones = Minor Sixth
- 9 semitones = Major Sixth
- 10 semitones = Minor Seventh
- 11 semitones = Major Seventh
- 12 semitones = Octave
- Direction Handling: For descending intervals, the calculation wraps around the chromatic circle
- Enharmonic Display: Shows alternative note spellings when enabled for complete music theory context
This method ensures accurate interval identification following standard Western music theory conventions used in classical, jazz, and popular music.
When You Might Need This
- • Identify intervals in chord progressions for songwriting
- • Learn music theory by practicing interval recognition
- • Analyze classical compositions and identify harmonic intervals
- • Help students understand interval relationships on piano
- • Check interval accuracy when transcribing music
- • Compose melodies using specific interval patterns
- • Train ear training skills with interval identification
- • Understand jazz harmony and complex chord structures
- • Calculate intervals for guitar fretboard exercises
- • Analyze vocal harmonies and part-writing in choral music
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ascending and descending intervals?
Ascending intervals go from a lower note to a higher note, while descending intervals go from a higher note to a lower note. The interval name stays the same (e.g., C to G is always a Perfect Fifth), but the direction affects how you hear and use the interval musically.
How are semitones counted in interval calculation?
Semitones are counted as the number of half-steps between two notes. For example, C to C# is 1 semitone, C to D is 2 semitones, and C to G is 7 semitones. This gives the exact pitch distance regardless of the interval's traditional name.
What are enharmonic equivalents and why do they matter?
Enharmonic equivalents are different names for the same pitch, like C# and Db. While they sound identical, they serve different functions in music theory depending on the key and harmonic context. Our calculator shows both names to help you choose the appropriate spelling.
Can this calculator help with chord construction?
Yes! Understanding intervals is fundamental to chord construction. A major triad uses a major third (4 semitones) and perfect fifth (7 semitones) from the root. Use this calculator to verify interval relationships when building chords or analyzing existing ones.
Are compound intervals (larger than an octave) supported?
This calculator focuses on simple intervals within one octave (0-12 semitones). For compound intervals like a major ninth, you can calculate the simple interval (major second) and add the octave. Most music theory applications work with simple intervals as building blocks.