Frequency Calculator

Musical Frequencies Explained: Notes, Hertz, and the Science of Sound

Every musical note corresponds to a specific vibration frequency measured in Hertz (Hz). Middle C, for example, vibrates at approximately 261.63 Hz, while the A above middle C (the standard tuning reference) vibrates at 440 Hz. Understanding the relationship between notes and frequencies is fundamental to music production, sound design, audio engineering, and instrument tuning. Our Frequency Calculator provides instant, accurate conversions between musical notes and their corresponding frequencies across all octaves.

How Musical Frequencies Are Calculated

Western music divides each octave into 12 equal semitones, a system called equal temperament. In this system, each semitone has a frequency ratio of the twelfth root of 2 (approximately 1.05946). Starting from the reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz, you can calculate any note's frequency by multiplying or dividing by this ratio for each semitone step up or down.

Moving up one octave exactly doubles the frequency. A4 is 440 Hz, so A5 is 880 Hz, A6 is 1760 Hz, and so on. Moving down one octave halves the frequency: A3 is 220 Hz, A2 is 110 Hz. This logarithmic relationship is why our perception of pitch is proportional rather than linear. The difference between 100 Hz and 200 Hz sounds like the same interval as the difference between 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz, even though the absolute difference in Hertz is ten times larger.

The A440 Standard and Alternative Tunings

The modern concert pitch standard sets A4 to 440 Hz. This was formally adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 16) in 1975, though it had been in common use since the mid-20th century. Before standardization, orchestras tuned to a variety of pitches. Baroque ensembles often tuned to A415 (a semitone lower than modern pitch), while some 19th-century orchestras tuned as high as A450 or even A460.

Some modern musicians and producers advocate for alternative tuning standards such as A432 Hz, claiming it produces a warmer, more natural sound. While scientific evidence for perceptual superiority of 432 Hz is limited, some artists deliberately use non-standard tuning for creative reasons. Our calculator uses A440 as the default, which is the universal standard for virtually all commercial music production, instrument manufacturing, and audio software.

Practical Applications in Music Production

Knowing note frequencies is invaluable for several production tasks:

• EQ and mixing — When you need to boost or cut a specific note frequency, knowing that the bass guitar's low E string resonates at about 41 Hz, or that vocal presence lives around 2–5 kHz, helps you make surgical EQ decisions rather than guessing.
• Sound design and synthesis — When programming oscillators in a synthesizer, you often need to set frequencies directly. Knowing that C3 is 130.81 Hz or that the kick drum fundamental typically sits around 50–60 Hz helps you design sounds with precision.
• Removing resonances — Problem frequencies in a room or recording can often be identified by their musical note. A boomy room resonance at 110 Hz corresponds to A2, which helps you identify the acoustic issue and apply targeted treatment.
• Tuning instruments — While most musicians use chromatic tuners, understanding the frequency values helps when calibrating tuners, verifying intonation, or working with instruments that tune by frequency readout.
• Harmonic analysis — Understanding that a note's overtones occur at integer multiples of its fundamental frequency helps with harmonic mixing, spectral analysis, and identifying aliasing artifacts in digital audio.

Frequency Ranges of Common Instruments

Every instrument has a characteristic frequency range that determines where it sits in the mix. Understanding these ranges helps you make better mixing and arrangement decisions:

• Bass guitar — Fundamental range of approximately 41 Hz (low E) to 400 Hz, with harmonics extending up to 4–5 kHz.
• Electric guitar — Fundamental range of approximately 82 Hz (low E) to 1.2 kHz, with harmonics and overtones reaching 6–8 kHz or higher with distortion.
• Piano — One of the widest ranges of any instrument, from 27.5 Hz (A0) to 4186 Hz (C8), spanning over seven octaves.
• Male vocals — Typical fundamental range of 85–350 Hz, with formants and harmonics extending to 8–12 kHz.
• Female vocals — Typical fundamental range of 165–700 Hz, with upper harmonics reaching 10–14 kHz.
• Kick drum — Fundamental typically 40–80 Hz, with attack transients reaching 3–5 kHz.
• Snare drum — Fundamental around 150–250 Hz, with snare wires producing frequencies up to 10 kHz.

The Human Hearing Range

Humans can theoretically hear frequencies from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), though this upper limit decreases with age. Most adults over 30 have difficulty hearing above 15–16 kHz. The most sensitive part of our hearing is the 2–5 kHz range, which corresponds to the frequency range of speech consonants and vocal presence. This is why mixing engineers pay special attention to this range when balancing vocals in a mix.

Sub-bass frequencies below 60 Hz are more felt than heard. They provide the physical impact of bass-heavy music and are critical in genres like EDM, hip-hop, and cinematic scoring. Ultra-high frequencies above 15 kHz add “air” and sparkle to a mix, even if they are not consciously perceived by all listeners.

Using Frequency Knowledge in Your Workflow

Pair this Frequency Calculator with our other production tools for a complete workflow. Use the BPM Tap Tool to find your song's tempo, the Delay Time Calculator and Reverb Time Calculator for time-based effects, and the Sample Rate Calculator to understand how your audio's sample rate affects frequency reproduction. Together, these tools give you the technical foundation to make informed, precise decisions at every stage of the production and mixing process.