UNDERSTAND PITCH
What is a pitch detector?
A pitch detector listens for the repeating pattern in a single sound and estimates its fundamental frequency. Frequency is measured in hertz (cycles per second), as defined by NIST. The app compares that measurement with a tuning reference and presents a note name, octave, staff position, and cents value.
“The SI unit for frequency is the hertz (Hz).” — National Institute of Standards and Technology
A detector is most useful for:
- singers matching a target note or warming up;
- instrumentalists checking intonation;
- learners connecting what they hear with written notation.
Use one sustained tone. Chords, heavy vibrato, room noise, and a distant microphone add competing patterns, so let the display settle before responding.
The cents meter shows the distance to the nearest equal-tempered note. The reference piano provides a starting pitch, while the optional voice guide gives broad choir-style ranges; it is not a vocal diagnosis.
How does this pitch detector work?
The detector measures a waveform and looks for a regular cycle. This comparison shows which sources are easiest to detect:
Source quality for pitch detection| Input | Expected result | Why |
|---|
| Sustained vowel or single instrument note | Best | One stable fundamental |
| Vibrato or a distant microphone | Variable | The frequency moves or loses clarity |
| Drum, breathy consonant, or chord | Unreliable | No single sustained pitch |
The frequency is compared with twelve equal semitones per octave, then the cents meter shows whether the result is flat, centered, or sharp.
How should you choose a tuning reference?
Calibration sets the reference frequency used to label the detected sound:
Common A4 reference choices| Reference | When to use it |
|---|
| 440 Hz | Most general practice and digital instruments |
| 438 or 442 Hz | When an ensemble or recording specifies it |
| 432 Hz | Only when your musical context explicitly requires it |
Choose the same reference as the people or instruments you are playing with. The detected frequency does not change; only its musical label and cents offset do.
Sources: NIST frequency definition · NIST SI guide
FAQ
What questions do people ask about pitch detection?
How accurate is a pitch detector?
This tool is designed for a clear, single note in a reasonably quiet room. It shows a result only when the incoming signal is strong and clear enough. Room noise, vibrato, a distant microphone, and several notes at once can make any browser detector less stable. Use the cents meter as a practice guide, not as a laboratory measurement.
Is this pitch detector free?
Yes. PitchDetector.cc is free to use and does not require an account, an app download, or an email address. Open the page in a modern browser, allow microphone access, and begin practising.
Can I use a pitch detector for singing practice?
Yes. Sustain one vowel at a time and watch the note name and cents meter settle. Start with a comfortable note, then compare it with a reference piano note. This is useful for matching pitch, warming up, and learning where a note sits on the staff.
What is the difference between pitch and frequency?
Frequency is the physical vibration rate, measured in hertz. Pitch is the musical name our ears give that frequency, such as A4. The same musical note has a defined reference frequency when A4 is set to 440 Hz.
How do I calibrate the pitch detector?
Choose your preferred A4 reference from the calibration menu. A4 = 440 Hz is the usual modern concert standard. Some ensembles use 442 or 438 Hz, while 432 Hz is occasionally used for a different reference. Every note and piano key updates together.
What does cents mean in tuning?
A cent is one hundredth of a semitone. The meter compares the detected sound with the nearest note: positive cents are sharp and negative cents are flat. Within five cents, this tool labels the note as centered.
Can this tool detect my vocal range?
It can show notes you sing, but it does not automatically diagnose your vocal type or complete range. Pick a voice guide to see a common reference range, then explore gently with good technique. A teacher is best placed to assess a voice.
Does the pitch detector work on mobile phones?
Yes, on current iOS Safari and Android Chrome versions that support microphone access. Open the site over HTTPS, tap Start detecting, and allow access when asked. Headphones can help prevent the phone speaker from influencing the microphone.
Is my voice recorded or uploaded?
No. Audio is analysed live in your browser and remains on your device. The site does not record, save, or upload microphone audio, detected notes, frequencies, or your selected voice guide. Anonymous traffic analytics can be turned off in Analytics preferences.
What voice type should I select?
Use the label that you already use in a choir or lesson, or leave it set to All. The guides are broad musical references: they do not change the pitch calculation and they are not a vocal diagnosis.
Can I use this to tune my guitar?
Yes, tune one string at a time and mute the other strings. The detector works best when the instrument produces one sustained, clear note. Select A4 = 440 Hz unless your band or tuner uses another reference.
Why does the detector show the wrong octave?
A strong overtone, a noisy room, or more than one note can make a detector choose the wrong octave. Move closer to the microphone, play or sing one clean note, reduce background sound, and let the display settle before judging the result.
PitchDetector