Cents, Frequency Ratio and Semitone Calculator
A musical cent is a way of measuring the ratio between two frequencies, a base frequency (F1) and a second frequency (F2). We typically think of cents in parts of a hundred as in monetary cents or in mathematical percentages; the same relationship holds for musical cents. By definition, a cent is 1/100th of the interval between two adjacent piano keys. Thus, an equally-tempered semitone (or the interval between the keys) spans 100 cents. An octave, or distance between a frequency F1 and twice the frequency 2*F1, spans 12 semitones, and is therefore made up of 1200 cents. Note that an octave forms the ratio 2*F1/F1 , or 2:1.
The calculators below will help you convert cents values to frequency ratios and vice versa. Further, you can input a frequency and find another frequency that spans a particular ratio or cents value. In addition, the number of semitones between the two frequencies is presented.
Finally, you can input two frequencies and find the cents value of the ratio between them.
Click HERE to learn more about musical cents, frequency ratios and semitones on Wikipedia.
The calculators below will help you convert cents values to frequency ratios and vice versa. Further, you can input a frequency and find another frequency that spans a particular ratio or cents value. In addition, the number of semitones between the two frequencies is presented.
Finally, you can input two frequencies and find the cents value of the ratio between them.
Click HERE to learn more about musical cents, frequency ratios and semitones on Wikipedia.
Enter the known value, then click "Calculate Ratio" or "Calculate Cents" to find the unknown value.
Enter a frequency (in Hz) and click "Calculate F2" or "Calculate F1" to find the other frequency that spans the cents value above.
Or enter two frequencies F1 ≤ F2 and click "Calculate Cents, Ratio & Semitones" to find the cents value and F2/F1 ratio above, as well as the number of semitones between the two frequencies. Click "Play Frequencies" to hear what the frequencies sound like together.