E0 — 20.602 Hz
E0 (E0) is 20.602 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 16.
E0 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 20.602 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 20.625 Hz | +1.93 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 20.439 Hz | -13.75 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 20.561 Hz | -3.45 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 20.561 Hz | -3.45 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 20.561 Hz | -3.45 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 20.565 Hz | -3.11 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 20.561 Hz | -3.45 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 20.578 Hz | -2.02 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 20.578 Hz | -2.02 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 20.555 Hz | -3.95 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 20.578 Hz | -2.02 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
E0 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) | 20.602 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 20.695 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 20.742 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 20.227 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 19.431 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Why E0 Varies Across Tuning Systems
E0 shows a maximum deviation of -13.75 cents in Just / Pure compared to equal temperament. This 14-cent difference reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Just / Pure, E0 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
E0 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how E0 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives E0 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
E0 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how E0 (20.602 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places E0 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune E0 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.
