Pitch Detector
Sing or play a note into your microphone and see the exact pitch detected in real-time. Useful for tuning, ear training, and checking your pitch accuracy.
Tap to start detecting pitch
Microphone processed locally, never uploaded
Want to measure your full vocal range?
Use the vocal range test to find your lowest, highest, and comfortable notes.
Take the Range Test →How the Pitch Detector Works
Allow Microphone
Grant microphone access. All audio processing happens locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
Sing or Play
Produce a steady note. The detector uses autocorrelation analysis to identify the fundamental frequency with precision down to individual cents.
Read Your Pitch
See the note name, octave, exact frequency in Hz, and how many cents sharp or flat you are from the nearest perfect pitch.
The Science of Pitch Detection
Understanding how pitch detection works helps you use this tool more effectively and interpret your results with confidence.
What Is Pitch?
Pitch is the perceived frequency of a sound, measured in Hertz (Hz). A4 (the A above middle C) vibrates at exactly 440 Hz. Higher pitches vibrate faster; lower pitches vibrate slower. The human voice typically produces pitches between 80 Hz (low bass) and 1,200 Hz (high soprano).
Autocorrelation Analysis
This tool uses autocorrelation, which compares a sound signal with a delayed version of itself. When the delay matches the period of the waveform, the correlation peaks, revealing the fundamental frequency. This method is highly accurate even in noisy environments.
Scientific Pitch Notation
Notes are labeled using Scientific Pitch Notation (e.g., C4, F#3, Bb5). The letter indicates the pitch class, and the number indicates the octave. Middle C is C4. This system is standard in music education and acoustics.
Understanding Cents
A cent is 1/100th of a semitone. If you're +15 cents sharp, your pitch is slightly higher than perfect. If you're -10 cents flat, it's slightly lower. Professional singers typically stay within ±10 cents of the target pitch.
Fundamental vs Overtones
When you sing, your voice produces a fundamental frequency (the perceived pitch) plus overtones (harmonics). Pitch detection algorithms identify the fundamental, ignoring overtones that could confuse simpler frequency-analysis methods.
Browser-Based Processing
This tool uses the Web Audio API to capture and analyze sound directly in your browser. No server uploads, no installations needed. The processing happens in real-time using JavaScript, making it private and instant.
Tips for Accurate Pitch Detection
Use a Quiet Environment
Background noise (fans, traffic, TV) introduces extra frequencies that can interfere with pitch detection. Find the quietest room available, or use headphones to isolate your voice from ambient sound.
Hold Notes Steadily
The detector needs about 0.5-1 seconds of stable sound to lock onto your pitch. Sing a steady "Ah" vowel and hold it for at least 2 seconds. Avoid sliding between notes or adding vibrato during measurement.
Position Your Microphone
Keep the microphone 6-12 inches from your mouth, slightly off-axis to avoid plosive sounds (P, B consonants). Built-in laptop mics work but external mics or earphone mics provide cleaner input.
Warm Up First
A cold voice may not reach your full range or may produce inconsistent pitch. Do 5 minutes of gentle humming, lip trills, or sirens before testing. This increases blood flow to your vocal cords and improves pitch stability.
What You Can Use This Pitch Detector For
Singing Practice
Check if you're hitting the right notes and staying on pitch during vocal exercises.
Instrument Tuning
Tune guitar, violin, or any instrument by playing individual strings or notes.
Ear Training
Practice identifying notes by ear, then verify with the detector to build pitch recognition.
Range Testing
Find your lowest and highest notes, then use our vocal range test for full analysis.
Note to Frequency Quick Reference
This reference shows the standard frequencies for musical notes from C3 to B5. Middle C is C4 at approximately 261.63 Hz. A4 = 440 Hz is the standard concert pitch used worldwide.
| Note | Hz | Note | Hz | Note | Hz | Note | Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 | 130.81 | F#3 | 185.00 | C4 | 261.63 | F#4 | 369.99 |
| C#3 | 138.59 | G3 | 196.00 | C#4 | 277.18 | G4 | 392.00 |
| D3 | 146.83 | G#3 | 207.65 | D4 | 293.66 | G#4 | 415.30 |
| D#3 | 155.56 | A3 | 220.00 | D#4 | 311.13 | A4 | 440.00 |
| E3 | 164.81 | A#3 | 233.08 | E4 | 329.63 | A#4 | 466.16 |
| F3 | 174.61 | B3 | 246.94 | F4 | 349.23 | B4 | 493.88 |
| C5 | 523.25 |
A4 (440 Hz) is the international standard concert pitch. Each octave up doubles the frequency. Learn more on our voice types guide.
Ear Training Exercises Using the Pitch Detector
A pitch detector is one of the most effective tools for developing your musical ear. Try these exercises to improve your pitch recognition, intonation, and overall musicianship.
1. Target Note Practice
Choose a target note (e.g., C4). Try to sing it from memory without a reference tone, then check the detector. How close were you? Repeat daily with different notes. Over weeks, your ability to produce specific pitches from memory will improve dramatically.
2. Interval Training
Play or sing a reference note, then try to sing a specific interval above or below it (e.g., a perfect fifth up from C4 to G4). Use the detector to verify. Start with easy intervals (octave, fifth, major third) before progressing to harder ones (minor second, tritone, major seventh).
3. Pitch Drift Correction
Sing a sustained note and watch the cents display. Try to adjust your pitch in real-time to reach exactly 0 cents (perfectly in tune). This trains your ear and voice to work together, improving your ability to self-correct during performances.
4. Scale Accuracy Check
Sing a slow scale (e.g., C major: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C) while watching the detector. Pay attention to which notes tend to be sharp or flat. Most singers have specific notes that consistently drift — knowing which ones helps you focus your practice.
5. Vibrato Control
Sing a note with vibrato and observe how the detector responds to the pitch oscillation. Try to narrow your vibrato to stay within ±20 cents for a controlled, classical sound, or let it widen for a more expressive pop or rock delivery.
6. A Cappella Accuracy
Sing a short melody completely a cappella (without accompaniment), then check your ending note against the starting key using the detector. This reveals whether you tend to go flat or sharp over the course of a phrase, a critical skill for ensemble singing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this pitch detector?
The pitch detector uses autocorrelation analysis accurate to within a few cents of the true pitch. Accuracy depends on your microphone quality, background noise, and how steadily you hold the note. For best results, use a quiet environment and hold notes steadily for at least 1-2 seconds.
What is cents deviation?
A cent is 1/100th of a semitone. If you're +15 cents sharp, your pitch is slightly higher than the perfect note. If you're -10 cents flat, it's slightly lower. Professional singers typically stay within ±10 cents of the target. Being within ±25 cents is generally considered "in tune" for most listening situations.
Can I use this to tune instruments?
Yes, this pitch detector works for any sustained sound — voice, guitar, violin, wind instruments, and more. For best results, play a steady note in a quiet environment. The detector will show the exact note and cents deviation, allowing you to adjust your instrument until it reads 0 cents (perfectly in tune).
Is my audio data private?
Absolutely. All audio processing happens in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio is ever recorded, uploaded, or sent to any server. Your voice data stays completely private on your device.
Why does the detected note flicker between two notes?
This usually happens when your pitch is exactly between two notes (e.g., halfway between C4 and C#4). It can also occur if your voice has a lot of vibrato or if background noise is interfering. Try singing a steadier tone with less vibrato, or move to a quieter environment.
What is the difference between pitch and frequency?
Frequency is the physical measurement of sound vibrations per second (Hz). Pitch is how our brain perceives that frequency musically. For example, 440 Hz is the frequency, and "A4" is the pitch. This tool shows both: the musical note name (pitch) and the exact Hz value (frequency).
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes, this pitch detector works on any modern device with a microphone and web browser, including smartphones and tablets. Simply open this page in your mobile browser and allow microphone access when prompted. For best results on mobile, use headphones with a built-in microphone.
How does this compare to a dedicated tuner app?
This pitch detector uses the same autocorrelation technology as dedicated tuner apps. The main difference is that dedicated tuners may have additional features like alternate tuning systems or metronomes. For basic pitch detection and singing practice, this browser-based tool provides comparable accuracy without requiring any downloads.