🎼 Note Frequency Chart
Generate comprehensive frequency charts showing musical notes across octaves with customizable tuning standards for musicians and audio engineers
Musical Note Frequency Chart:
Musical Notes C2-C6 • A4 = 440 Hz
Professional frequency reference example
⚙️ Chart Configuration
📋 Export Options
- CSV format for spreadsheets
- Copy to clipboard
- Printer-friendly layout
🎵 Musical Features
- Multiple tuning standards
- MIDI note numbers
- Instrument range highlighting
🔬 Technical Information
Equal Temperament: Each semitone is exactly 2^(1/12) ≈ 1.05946 times the previous frequency. A4 Reference: All frequencies calculated relative to A4 tuning standard. Scientific Notation: C4 = Middle C, standard octave numbering system.
How to Use This Note Frequency Chart
How to Use the Note Frequency Chart Generator:
- Select Octave Range: Choose starting and ending octaves for your chart (C0-C8 available)
- C2-C6: Standard range covering most instruments and voices
- C0-C3: Deep bass frequencies for subwoofers and bass instruments
- C4-C8: High frequencies for treble instruments and harmonics
- Choose Reference Tuning: Select A4 frequency standard based on your needs
- 440 Hz: Modern international concert pitch standard
- 432 Hz: Alternative tuning preferred by some musicians
- 415 Hz: Historical Baroque period tuning for authentic performance
- Configure Display Options: Customize chart format and precision
- Table View: Grid layout with notes in rows and octaves in columns
- List View: Linear format showing all frequencies sequentially
- Piano Layout: Visual keyboard representation with frequencies
- Optional Enhancements: Add MIDI numbers, wavelengths, and instrument highlighting
- Generate Chart: Click "Generate Frequency Chart" to create your custom reference
- Export Results: Copy to clipboard or download as CSV for use in other applications
Pro Tips: Use 2-3 decimal places for musical accuracy, enable MIDI numbers for digital audio work, and highlight your instrument's range for quick reference. The charts are ideal for tuning, composition, and audio engineering tasks!
How It Works
The Science Behind Musical Note Frequencies:
Our frequency chart generator uses equal temperament tuning mathematics to calculate precise note frequencies:
- Equal Temperament Formula: Each semitone = previous note × 2^(1/12) = previous note × 1.05946
- Reference Point: All calculations start from A4 frequency (440Hz, 432Hz, etc.)
- Octave Relationships: Each octave doubles or halves the frequency (A4 = 440Hz, A5 = 880Hz, A3 = 220Hz)
- Scientific Notation: Notes labeled with octave numbers (C4 = Middle C, A4 = Concert A)
- MIDI Integration: Note numbers follow MIDI standard (C4 = 60, A4 = 69)
- Wavelength Calculation: Uses sound speed in air (343 m/s at 20°C) to calculate physical wavelengths
The tool generates mathematically accurate frequency charts that match professional music equipment and software. Equal temperament ensures consistent intervals across all keys, making the charts perfect for modern musical applications, audio engineering, and scientific acoustics work.
When You Might Need This
- • Musicians tuning instruments to different reference pitches (A4 = 440Hz vs 432Hz)
- • Audio engineers setting up frequency analyzers and equalizers for specific note ranges
- • Piano technicians calculating string tensions and harmonic frequencies for tuning
- • Music students learning the mathematical relationships between musical intervals
- • Sound designers creating synthesizer patches and electronic music with precise frequencies
- • Instrument manufacturers calibrating digital tuners and metronomes for accuracy
- • Music teachers explaining the science of equal temperament tuning to students
- • Recording engineers identifying fundamental frequencies for proper microphone placement
- • Composers working with microtonal music or historical tuning temperaments
- • Audiophiles testing speaker frequency response across the musical spectrum
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between A4 = 440 Hz and A4 = 432 Hz tuning?
A4 = 440 Hz is the modern international standard for concert pitch, adopted worldwide for orchestras and most musical instruments. A4 = 432 Hz is an alternative tuning that some musicians believe sounds more natural or harmonious, though this is debated. The difference is subtle - about 8 cents lower - but affects all other note frequencies proportionally. Our tool calculates precise frequencies for both standards so you can compare and choose what works best for your music.
How are musical note frequencies calculated using equal temperament?
Equal temperament divides the octave into 12 equal semitones, where each semitone has a frequency ratio of 2^(1/12) ≈ 1.05946. Starting from a reference frequency (like A4 = 440 Hz), each note is calculated by multiplying or dividing by this ratio. For example, A#4 = 440 × 1.05946 = 466.16 Hz, and G#4 = 440 ÷ 1.05946 = 415.30 Hz. Our calculator uses this precise mathematical formula to ensure accuracy across all octaves.
What octave range should I use for my instrument or project?
The optimal range depends on your specific needs: Piano spans A0-C8 (27.5-4186 Hz), guitar covers E2-E6 (82.4-1319 Hz), and human voice typically ranges C3-C6 (130-1047 Hz). For general music production, C2-C6 covers most fundamental frequencies you'll encounter. Audio engineers often extend to C1-C7 for subharmonics and overtones. Our tool lets you customize the range to match your exact requirements and highlights common instrument ranges.
Why do the frequencies change when I select different reference tunings?
All musical frequencies are calculated relative to the A4 reference pitch. When you change from A4 = 440 Hz to A4 = 432 Hz, every other note frequency shifts proportionally to maintain the same musical intervals. This is because equal temperament maintains fixed ratios between notes regardless of the absolute frequency. For example, if A4 drops by 8 Hz, then C4 also drops proportionally from 261.63 Hz to 256.87 Hz. This ensures all music remains in tune within the chosen temperament system.
Can I use this frequency chart for audio equipment calibration?
Yes, our frequency charts are ideal for calibrating audio equipment like synthesizers, tuners, and digital audio workstations. The charts provide precise frequencies needed for setting oscillator tunings, calibrating frequency analyzers, and testing speaker response across the musical spectrum. Use higher precision settings (3 decimal places) for laboratory-grade accuracy, and include MIDI note numbers for digital equipment compatibility. The charts can be exported as CSV files for importing into professional audio software and measurement tools.