F3 — 174.614 Hz
F3 (F3) is 174.614 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 53.
F3 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 174.614 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 173.827 Hz | -7.82 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 174.417 Hz | -1.95 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 176.531 Hz | +18.90 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 176.000 Hz | +13.69 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 175.504 Hz | +8.80 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 175.762 Hz | +11.34 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 176.000 Hz | +13.69 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 175.405 Hz | +7.82 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 175.603 Hz | +9.78 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 175.603 Hz | +9.78 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 175.009 Hz | +3.91 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
F3 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) | 174.614 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 175.408 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 175.805 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 171.439 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 164.693 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play F3
F3 (174.614 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 42 instruments.
Why F3 Varies Across Tuning Systems
F3 shows a maximum deviation of +18.90 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, F3 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 F3, making this note one where tuning system choice has a meaningful impact on pitch.
F3 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how F3 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives F3 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
F3 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how F3 (174.614 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places F3 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune F3 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.
