Cello String Frequencies

Calculate C2, G2, D3, and A3 for the A4 reference used by your orchestra, school, or early-music ensemble.

Ensemble reference pitch (A4)

Shift from A440

+0.0 cents

Cello open-string frequencies for the selected A4 reference
String	Note	Target frequency
C string	C2	65.41 Hz
G string	G2	98.00 Hz
D string	D3	146.83 Hz
A string	A3	220.00 Hz

Frequencies use 12-tone equal temperament. Real bowed strings move slightly with bow pressure, contact point, temperature, and the instrument's response, so use the table as a target rather than a claim of laboratory precision.

Standard cello frequencies at A440

C string

65.41 Hz

G string

98.00 Hz

D string

146.83 Hz

A string

220.00 Hz

The open strings form three perfect fifths: C2–G2, G2–D3, and D3–A3. In equal temperament, each fifth spans seven semitones, so its frequency ratio is 2 raised to the 7/12 power.

Cello notation normally uses bass, tenor, and treble clefs, but the octave labels here are scientific pitch notation. The A string is A3 at 220 Hz when the ensemble reference is A4 = 440 Hz; it is not A4 at 440 Hz.

Choosing the right reference pitch

A4 = 415 Hz

A common modern approximation for Baroque pitch. It places every string about one equal-tempered semitone below A440.

A4 = 440 Hz

The standard reference used by most electronic tuners, method books, school ensembles, and modern fixed-pitch instruments.

A4 = 442–443 Hz

Used by some orchestras. Follow the pitch supplied by the oboe, piano, conductor, or ensemble rather than mixing references.

Changing the reference changes every target

Do not tune only the A string to a different reference and leave C, G, and D at their A440 frequencies. All four targets must move together to preserve the fifths.

How the calculator works

For a MIDI note number n, frequency equals A4 × 2^{(n − 69) / 12}. Standard cello strings use MIDI numbers 36, 43, 50, and 57. The same formula is applied to each selected reference pitch.

Use the targets with the tuner

For ordinary A440 tuning, open the standard CGDA tuner and play one steady open string at a time. For another ensemble reference, follow the calculated frequencies and verify the final fifths by ear with your teacher or section.

Open the standard cello tuner