E5 — 659.255 Hz
E5 (E5) is 659.255 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 76.
E5 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 659.255 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 660.002 Hz | +1.96 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 654.064 Hz | -13.69 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 657.954 Hz | -3.42 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 657.954 Hz | -3.42 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 657.954 Hz | -3.42 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 658.064 Hz | -3.13 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 657.954 Hz | -3.42 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 658.509 Hz | -1.96 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 658.509 Hz | -1.96 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 657.768 Hz | -3.91 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 658.509 Hz | -1.96 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
E5 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) | 659.255 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 662.252 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 663.750 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 647.269 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 621.797 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play E5
E5 (659.255 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 42 instruments.
Why E5 Varies Across Tuning Systems
E5 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, E5 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
E5 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how E5 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives E5 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
E5 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how E5 (659.255 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places E5 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune E5 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.
