Pitch Shift Calculator

About this calculator

In Western music theory, each octave is divided into 12 equal semitones, and shifting a note by n semitones multiplies its frequency by 2^(n/12) — the basis of equal temperament tuning. A hundredth of a semitone is a cent, the finer unit musicians use to describe subtle tuning differences that the ear can still detect.

This calculator takes an original frequency and a semitone shift (positive to go up, negative to go down) and returns the new frequency, the resulting frequency ratio, and the shift in cents. Audio engineers use it to plan pitch-shifting effects and time-stretching in a DAW, musicians use it to transpose parts or check alternate tunings, and sound designers use it to calculate exact sample-rate or playback-speed changes needed for a target pitch.