Reference pitch
Violin Tuning: 440 Hz vs 442 Hz
Use the reference your teacher or ensemble gives you. Here is what changes between 440 and 442 Hz, including all four string targets.
Which setting should you use?
For practice on your own, leave this tuner at 440 Hz unless you have been asked to use something else. For a lesson or rehearsal, ask for the reference before tuning. If the group uses 442 Hz, set 442. When playing with a piano, match its reference rather than assuming that a different setting will sound better.
The setting refers to A4, the open A string. It is a shared starting pitch. It does not change the note names, and 442 Hz is not a separate tuning method.
Two hertz is about 7.85 cents here
The difference is calculated as 1200 × log₂(442 ÷ 440), or about 7.85 cents. A string sounding at 442 Hz therefore reads about +7.85 cents when the tuner is set to 440 Hz. Set the reference to 442 Hz and the same sound reads zero.
This site’s green zone is within 10 cents of the target. A 442 Hz A can therefore appear in tune with the 440 Hz setting too. The green status is a tolerance indicator; check the reference number when you need to match an ensemble.
The other three targets change too
This tuner calculates equal-tempered targets from the A4 reference. Moving from 440 to 442 Hz scales each target by 442 ÷ 440; it does not simply add 2 Hz to every string.
| String | A4 = 440 Hz | A4 = 442 Hz |
|---|---|---|
| G3 | 196.00 Hz | 196.89 Hz |
| D4 | 293.66 Hz | 295.00 Hz |
| A4 | 440.00 Hz | 442.00 Hz |
| E5 | 659.26 Hz | 662.25 Hz |
Experienced players may tune the intervals between open strings as pure fifths by ear. Those targets differ slightly from equal temperament. If your teacher asks you to tune that way, follow their method rather than forcing each string to agree exactly with this table.
Change the setting before adjusting the violin
Open the tuner, tap Settings and choose 440 Hz or 442 Hz. Tap Save and close and check the “A4 =” label above the strings. You can also enter a custom reference from 400 to 480 Hz when you have a specific instruction to do so.
Changing the setting clears the previous readings and check marks because the target pitches have changed. Check A, D, G and E again. The reference tones use the new setting too; playing a tone stops microphone capture, so tap Start Tuning afterward to resume checking your string.
Your reference is remembered on this device when browser storage is available. Choose 440 Hz to reset it. Check the reference at the start of each session. For the full adjustment sequence, read the beginner tuning guide.