Cents & Interval Calculator
Measure the interval between two frequencies in cents and as a ratio, name the nearest equal-tempered interval, and convert cents back to a frequency ratio. Runs in your browser.
Interval between the two frequencies
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Show the math
Cents are a logarithmic measure of pitch distance, 100 cents per semitone, 1,200 per octave:
cents = 1,200 × log₂(f₂ ÷ f₁)
The ratio is simply f₂ ÷ f₁, and any cents value converts back with 2^(cents ÷ 1,200). Useful for checking tuning offsets and just-intonation intervals.
Everything is calculated in your browser.
What this does
A cents and interval calculator measures the interval between two frequencies in cents and as a ratio, names the nearest equal-tempered interval, and converts cents back to a ratio.
How to use it
- Enter two frequencies.
- Read the interval in cents.
- See the nearest named interval.
- Or convert cents to a ratio.
How it works
A cent is a logarithmic pitch unit — 100 per semitone, 1,200 per octave. To go the other way, ratio = 2^(cents ÷ 1,200).
cents = 1,200 × log₂(f₂ ÷ f₁)
Understanding your result
Cents are a logarithmic measure, 100 to a semitone and 1,200 to an octave, which is why they compare pitch differences fairly across the whole range. The practical use is gauging how out of tune something is: a few cents is inaudible to most ears, around 5 to 10 starts to sound off, and the named nearest interval tells you what the ratio is in musical terms.
Example
440 Hz to 466.16 Hz is 100 cents — one semitone.
Sources & methodology
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
What is a cent?
A cent is a logarithmic unit of pitch, 100 cents per semitone and 1,200 per octave. Between two frequencies, cents = 1,200 × log₂(f₂ ÷ f₁).
How is the nearest interval named?
The cents value is rounded to the closest semitone, named from the standard equal-tempered intervals, with any leftover cents shown as a + or − offset.
How do I convert cents to a ratio?
Use 2^(cents ÷ 1,200). Enter a cents value and the tool returns the matching frequency ratio.
Is anything stored?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
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