B3 — 246.942 Hz
B3 (B3) is 246.942 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 59.
B3 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 246.942 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 247.500 Hz | +3.91 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 245.274 Hz | -11.73 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 245.551 Hz | -9.78 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 245.967 Hz | -6.85 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 246.245 Hz | -4.89 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 246.496 Hz | -3.13 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 246.454 Hz | -3.42 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 246.385 Hz | -3.91 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 246.662 Hz | -1.96 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 246.106 Hz | -5.87 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 247.221 Hz | +1.95 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
B3 at Different Concert Pitches
The same note varies in frequency depending on the concert pitch standard used by your ensemble.
| Concert Pitch | Frequency (Hz) | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| A = 440 Hz (ISO standard) | 246.942 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 248.064 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 248.625 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 242.452 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 232.911 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play B3
B3 (246.942 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 49 instruments.
Why B3 Varies Across Tuning Systems
B3 shows a maximum deviation of -11.73 cents in Just / Pure compared to equal temperament. This 12-cent difference reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Just / Pure, B3 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
B3 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how B3 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives B3 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
B3 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how B3 (246.942 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places B3 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune B3 with precision — Get Tunable.
Tunable supports 15+ tuning systems including equal temperament, Pythagorean, just intonation, and historical well-temperaments. See exact Hz values in real-time as you play.
