A=442 Hz Concert Pitch — Note Frequencies

About A=442 Hz

A=442 Hz is a common concert pitch standard in many European orchestras, particularly in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Historically, European orchestras have tuned progressively higher than the ISO 440 Hz standard throughout the 20th century, with 442 Hz emerging as a widespread orchestral consensus pitch for chamber and symphonic performance.

Tuning to 442 Hz places the ensemble approximately 7.85 cents above A=440 Hz — a subtle but audible brightness difference, particularly at full orchestra volume. String sections benefit from slightly higher string tension at this pitch, which can contribute to a more projecting sound in large halls.

Soloists performing with orchestras that use A=442 must calibrate their instrument accordingly. For wind players on fixed instruments (oboe, clarinet), this often requires warmer temperature conditions or alternate instruments. String soloists and flexible wind players can adjust their tuning to match the ensemble reference.

Chromatic Note Frequencies at A=442 Hz

All 12 chromatic notes in equal temperament, calculated at A=442 Hz reference pitch across octaves 3, 4, and 5. Hz values are rounded to 3 decimal places.

Frequencies computed from f = 442 × 2^{(MIDI − 69) / 12} where A4 MIDI = 69. The highlighted row is A, the concert pitch reference note at this standard.

Other Concert Pitch Standards

• A=440 Hz — ISO Standard (1939)
• A=432 Hz — Alternative Tuning
• A=443 Hz — High European / Asian Orchestral
• A=415 Hz — Baroque Pitch (HIP)

Related Reference Pages

• A4 note page — full temperament frequency data
• Note frequency hub — all 153 notes
• Concert pitch hub — compare all 5 standards