C5 — 523.251 Hz
C5 (C5) is 523.251 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 72.
C5 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 523.251 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 521.480 Hz | -5.87 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 523.251 Hz | 0.00 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 527.405 Hz | +13.69 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 526.361 Hz | +10.26 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 525.326 Hz | +6.85 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 526.094 Hz | +9.38 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 526.361 Hz | +10.26 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 525.028 Hz | +5.87 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 526.808 Hz | +11.73 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 525.620 Hz | +7.82 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 525.028 Hz | +5.87 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
C5 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) | 523.251 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 525.630 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 526.819 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 513.737 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 493.521 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play C5
C5 (523.251 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 43 instruments.
Why C5 Varies Across Tuning Systems
C5 shows a maximum deviation of +13.69 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, C5 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 C5, making this note one where tuning system choice has a meaningful impact on pitch.
C5 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how C5 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives C5 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
C5 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how C5 (523.251 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places C5 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune C5 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.
