261.63 Hz — Nearest Note: C4

261.63 Hz is closest to C4 in equal temperament at A=440 Hz. The deviation is +0.03 cents (sharp of the nearest equal-tempered pitch).

261.63 Hz is the equal temperament frequency of C4 at A=440 Hz. It is derived from the formula f = 440 × 2^((MIDI − 69) / 12), where the MIDI number uniquely identifies each pitch.

Multi-Temperament Context for C4

The table below shows how C4 is tuned in all 16 temperaments at A=440 Hz, and how far 261.63 Hz falls from each.

Temperament Hz (A=440) vs Equal Temp (cents) Distance from 261.63 Hz (cents)
Equal Temperament 261.626 Hz 0.00 +0.03
Pythagorean 260.740 Hz -5.87 +5.90
Just Intonation (Major) 261.626 Hz 0.00 +0.03
Just Intonation (Minor) 261.626 Hz 0.00 +0.03
Quarter-Comma Meantone 263.181 Hz +10.26 -10.23
Third-Comma Meantone 263.703 Hz +13.69 -13.66
Sixth-Comma Meantone 262.663 Hz +6.85 -6.82
Werckmeister III 263.404 Hz +11.73 -11.70
Werckmeister IV 262.810 Hz +7.82 -7.79
Werckmeister V 262.514 Hz +5.87 -5.84
Kirnberger III 263.181 Hz +10.26 -10.23
Vallotti 262.514 Hz +5.87 -5.84
Young (1799) 262.810 Hz +7.82 -7.79
Bach/Lehman 262.514 Hz +5.87 -5.84
Neidhardt 262.217 Hz +3.91 -3.88
Kellner (Bach) 263.047 Hz +9.38 -9.35

Positive cents = 261.63 Hz is sharp of the temperament pitch. Negative = flat. The "Distance from 261.63 Hz" column answers: in which temperament does 261.63 Hz come closest to C4?

Chromatic Neighbors

The notes immediately below and above C4 on the chromatic scale (in equal temperament at A=440 Hz):

See full frequency data for C4.

Adjacent Frequencies in This Index

Other commonly-searched frequencies near 261.63 Hz:

Browse all 29 frequencies →

Instruments That Play C4

C4 (261.626 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 55 instruments.

Acoustic Guitar Alto (Contralto) Alto Flute Alto Saxophone Banjo (5-string) Banjo (Tenor, 4-string) Baritone Baritone Saxophone Bass Bass Clarinet Bass Flute Bass Guitar (4-string) Bass Trombone Bassoon Cello Chimes (Tubular Bells) Clarinet in A Clarinet in Bb Classical Guitar Cornet Double Bass Electric Bass (5-string) Electric Guitar English Horn Euphonium Flugelhorn Flute French Horn in F Harp (Pedal) Mandolin Marimba Mezzo-Soprano Oboe Oboe d'Amore Recorder (Bass) Recorder (Tenor) Soprano Soprano Saxophone Tenor Tenor Saxophone Timpani Trombone (Tenor) Trumpet in Bb Trumpet in C Tuba (Bb) Tuba (C) Tuba (Eb) Tuba (F) Ukulele (Baritone) Ukulele (Concert) Ukulele (Soprano) Ukulele (Tenor) Vibraphone Viola Violin

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