C6 — 1046.502 Hz
C6 (C6) is 1046.502 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 84.
C6 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 1046.502 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 1042.960 Hz | -5.87 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 1046.502 Hz | 0.00 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 1054.810 Hz | +13.69 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 1052.723 Hz | +10.26 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 1050.651 Hz | +6.85 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 1052.188 Hz | +9.38 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 1052.723 Hz | +10.26 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 1050.057 Hz | +5.87 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 1053.617 Hz | +11.73 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 1051.240 Hz | +7.82 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 1050.057 Hz | +5.87 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
C6 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) | 1046.502 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 1051.259 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 1053.638 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 1027.475 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 987.042 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play C6
C6 (1046.502 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 22 instruments.
Why C6 Varies Across Tuning Systems
C6 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, C6 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 C6, making this note one where tuning system choice has a meaningful impact on pitch.
C6 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how C6 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives C6 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
C6 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how C6 (1046.502 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places C6 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune C6 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.
