F0 — 21.827 Hz
F0 (F0) is 21.827 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 17.
F0 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 21.827 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 21.728 Hz | -7.87 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 21.802 Hz | -1.98 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 22.066 Hz | +18.85 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 22.000 Hz | +13.67 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 21.938 Hz | +8.78 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 21.970 Hz | +11.31 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 22.000 Hz | +13.67 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 21.926 Hz | +7.83 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 21.950 Hz | +9.73 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 21.950 Hz | +9.73 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 21.876 Hz | +3.88 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
F0 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) | 21.827 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 21.926 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 21.976 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 21.430 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 20.587 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Why F0 Varies Across Tuning Systems
F0 shows a maximum deviation of +18.85 cents in Meantone 1/3 Comma compared to equal temperament. This 19-cent difference is clearly audible to trained musicians and reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Meantone 1/3 Comma, F0 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 F0, making this note one where tuning system choice has a meaningful impact on pitch.
F0 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how F0 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives F0 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
F0 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how F0 (21.827 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places F0 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune F0 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.
