432 Hz vs 440 Hz: what they are, how they differ and which to use

440 Hz is the international standard tuning pitch, “concert A” (A4). 432 Hz is an alternative about 32 cents lower, a little under a third of a semitone, which some people find warmer or more relaxing, although there is no scientific evidence that it sounds better or has any special effects.

If you play along with recordings or with other people, use 440. If you play on your own and like the character of 432, go for it: in this tuner you can change the Reference pitch (A4) selector and tune straight to 432 or 442.

What “440 Hz” means

When we say an instrument is tuned to 440 Hz, we mean that the note A4, the A above middle C, vibrates 440 times a second. That note is the reference point: once it is fixed, every other note follows from it in equal temperament. That is why a single number, the frequency of A, is enough to define the whole tuning.

440 Hz is the value the international standard ISO 16 sets as standard tuning pitch.¹

It is the default for most commercial recordings, electronic tuners and apps, and the reference that the vast majority of today’s popular music is played to.

What 432 Hz is and where it comes from

432 Hz simply means tuning that same A4 a little lower: 432 vibrations a second instead of 440. The difference is about 32 cents, a little under a third of a semitone. You can hear it if you compare the two tunings back to back, but not so much that a melody becomes unrecognisable.

Before A was standardised at 440, orchestras used a wide range of reference pitches, and in the debate of that era Giuseppe Verdi is credited with arguing for an A lower than the usual one; the exact figure varies by source. More recently, claims have spread that 432 Hz is a “natural” frequency, “more in harmony with the universe”, or good for your health.

To be clear: those claims are not backed by rigorous studies. There is no physical reason that makes 432 Hz special. The honest way to treat it is as a matter of taste, not science.

What about 442 Hz?

442 Hz goes the other way: an A slightly higher than 440. It is common in many orchestras, especially in Europe, because a slightly higher pitch gives a brighter sound. In an orchestra the ensemble sets the number, and 442 or even 443 Hz are common values. If you play in a band or orchestra that tunes to 442, your instrument has to be at 442 to fit in.

Can you hear the difference? Does one sound better?

A trained ear can tell: 432 sounds a touch lower and 442 a touch brighter. But neither is objectively better. What really matters is consistency:

Every instrument playing together has to share the same reference. A guitar at 432 and a keyboard at 440 will sound out of tune with each other, even though each is in tune with its own reference.
If you play along with a recorded song, it is almost certainly at 440. Tuning your guitar to 432 will make it clash with the recording.

When to use each one

It depends on the situation:

With recordings, backing tracks or karaoke: 440 Hz.
Playing on your own, if you like a warmer character: 432 Hz, or whichever you prefer.
In an orchestra or band: whatever the group uses, often 442 Hz in Europe.
To record or share music with other people: 440 Hz, unless the group agrees on something else.
To practise or unwind, with nobody else: whichever you find most pleasant.

How to tune to 432 or 442 with this tuner

There is no need to work out the frequency of each string by hand. The tuner has a Reference pitch (A4) selector with 432, 440 and 442 Hz options:

Choose your instrument and tuning as usual.
Under Reference pitch (A4), select 432, 440 or 442.
Press Start Tuner, allow microphone access and tune each string into the green zone.

When you change the reference, the whole tuning shifts as a block: note names don’t change (an A is still an A), but each string’s target moves to the new reference. Your choice is remembered in your browser, so next time you will still be on the one you picked.

Frequently asked questions

Is 432 Hz better for singing or for relaxing?

There is no scientific evidence for it. Some people prefer it as a matter of taste, which is reason enough to use it if you like it, but not because it has any proven effect.

Can I convert a song from 440 to 432?

There are two ways: play it back about 2% slower, which also lowers the tempo slightly, or lower the pitch with software that keeps the tempo. To play live, the practical thing is to tune your instrument to the recording’s reference.

What reference do the recordings I listen to use?

Apart from deliberate exceptions, 440 Hz. It is the industry standard.

Is standard guitar tuning at 440 or 442?

Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) tells you which note goes on each string; the A4 reference (440, 432 or 442) tells you at what pitch those notes are calculated. The standard is 440 Hz; 442 is a choice some ensembles make.

Sources

ISO 16:1975, Acoustics — Standard tuning frequency (Standard musical pitch)

Updated 2026-10-06