C3 — 130.813 Hz
C3 (C3) is 130.813 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 48.
C3 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 130.813 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 130.370 Hz | -5.87 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 130.813 Hz | 0.00 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 131.851 Hz | +13.68 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 131.590 Hz | +10.25 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 131.331 Hz | +6.84 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 131.523 Hz | +9.37 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 131.590 Hz | +10.25 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 131.257 Hz | +5.87 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 131.702 Hz | +11.73 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 131.405 Hz | +7.82 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 131.257 Hz | +5.87 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
C3 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) | 130.813 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 131.407 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 131.705 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 128.434 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 123.380 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play C3
C3 (130.813 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 32 instruments.
Why C3 Varies Across Tuning Systems
C3 shows a maximum deviation of +13.68 cents in Meantone 1/3 Comma compared to equal temperament. This 14-cent difference reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Meantone 1/3 Comma, C3 is tuned sharper than equal temperament to achieve purer intervals with nearby notes in the tuning system's favored keys.
4 of the 15 non-equal temperaments deviate by more than 10 cents for C3, making this note one where tuning system choice has a meaningful impact on pitch.
C3 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how C3 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives C3 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
C3 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how C3 (130.813 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places C3 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune C3 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.
