E3 — 164.814 Hz
E3 (E3) is 164.814 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 52.
E3 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 164.814 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 165.000 Hz | +1.95 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 163.516 Hz | -13.69 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 164.489 Hz | -3.42 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 164.489 Hz | -3.42 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 164.489 Hz | -3.42 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 164.516 Hz | -3.13 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 164.489 Hz | -3.42 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 164.627 Hz | -1.97 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 164.627 Hz | -1.97 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 164.442 Hz | -3.91 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 164.627 Hz | -1.97 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
E3 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) | 164.814 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 165.563 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 165.938 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 161.817 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 155.449 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play E3
E3 (164.814 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 39 instruments.
Why E3 Varies Across Tuning Systems
E3 shows a maximum deviation of -13.69 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, E3 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
E3 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how E3 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives E3 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
E3 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how E3 (164.814 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places E3 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune E3 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.
