G3 note frequency calculator
G3 is MIDI note 55, -14 semitones from A4. At the standard A4 = 440 Hz that puts it at 195.998 Hz.
- Period
- 0.005 102 1 s
- Wavelength in air
- 1.7500
- Quarter wavelength
- 0.4375
- One octave up
- 391.9954 Hz
- One octave down
- 97.9989 Hz
- Equal-tempered fifth above
- 293.6648 Hz
- Just fifth above
- 293.9966 Hz
- How flat the tempered fifth is
- 1.9550 cents
- String length at that tension
- 0.3227
- MIDI note number
- 55
Show the working
- Reference pitch for A4 = 440
- Detune = 0
- Speed of sound = 343
- String tension = 80
- String mass per metre = 0.005
- semitones = -14 = -14
- Frequency = 440 * 2^(-14/12) * 2^(0/1200) = 195.998
- Period = 195.998 > 0 ? 1/195.998 : 0 = 0.005 102 1
- Wavelength in air = 195.998 > 0 ? 343 / 195.998 : 0 = 1.750 02
- Quarter wavelength = 1.750 02 / 4 = 0.437 505
- One octave up = 195.998 * 2 = 391.995
- One octave down = 195.998 / 2 = 97.9989
- Equal-tempered fifth above = 195.998 * 2^(7/12) = 293.665
- Just fifth above = 195.998 * 1.5 = 293.997
- How flat the tempered fifth is = 293.665 > 0 ? 1200 * log2(293.997/293.665) : 0 = 1.955
- String length at that tension = 195.998 > 0 ? sqrt(80 / 0.005) / (2 * 195.998) : 0 = 0.322 685
- MIDI note number = 55 = 55
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
Scenarios & local history
Compare a saved scenario
Recent calculations
The formula
- f = 440 x 2^((n - 69)/12), with n the MIDI note number
- one cent is 2^(1/1200), so a detune of c cents multiplies by 2^(c/1200)
- string frequency = sqrt(tension / linear density) / (2 x length)
Equal temperament divides the octave into twelve equal ratios of 2^(1/12), which is irrational. Every interval except the octave is therefore slightly out of tune against the simple whole-number ratios the ear prefers.
The tempered fifth is about 1.955 cents flat of a just fifth, which is close enough that almost nobody notices.
Concert pitch is not universal: many orchestras tune to 442 or 443 Hz, and baroque performance often uses 415.
G3 at different concert pitches
| A4 reference | G3 frequency |
|---|---|
| 415 Hz | 184.861 Hz |
| 430 Hz | 191.543 Hz |
| 432 Hz | 192.434 Hz |
| 435 Hz | 193.770 Hz |
| 440 Hz | 195.998 Hz |
| 442 Hz | 196.889 Hz |
| 443 Hz | 197.334 Hz |
| 444 Hz | 197.780 Hz |
Frequently asked
What frequency is G3?
195.998 Hz in equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz.
How is the frequency of a note calculated?
Multiply the reference pitch by two raised to the number of semitones divided by twelve.