Can it detect chords?

No: single-note pitch detection only.

What algorithm is used?

YIN, with parabolic interpolation.

Why does my voice show different from my instrument?

Voice has more harmonics; the detector still reports the perceived note.

Does it record my audio?

No, audio stays in your browser.

Pitch Detector: Identify Any Musical Note Online

Sing, play, or hum any note: see the pitch detected instantly in your browser.

Loads instantly

Allow microphone access when prompted
Play or sing in a quiet room for cleanest detection
Choose your concert pitch (432/440/442 Hz)
Use Chrome, Edge, or Firefox for best Web Audio support

How to Use

Start Listening

Click Start and grant microphone access.

Play or Sing

Make any sustained note: voice, instrument, whistle.

Read the Pitch

The note name, Hz, and cents deviation appear instantly.

Troubleshooting

Grant microphone permission
Move closer to the mic
Check Chrome/Edge mic settings

Features

Real-time Detection

YIN pitch detection updates every audio frame.

Concert Pitch

Switch between 432, 440, 442, 444 Hz.

Cents Deviation

Shows ±50¢ from the nearest semitone.

Note History

Last 8 detected notes shown for review.

Complete Guide

What Is an Online Pitch Detector?

A pitch detector analyzes microphone audio in real time and identifies the musical note being played or sung. Our online pitch detector uses the YIN algorithm: a well-known method that handles voice, instruments, whistling, and even hummed pitches reliably. Detection runs entirely in your browser via the Web Audio API; nothing is uploaded. Unlike a basic spectrum analyzer, a pitch detector identifies the perceived fundamental even when many overtones are present. Singing 'aaah' produces a complex spectrum; the detector still tells you 'A3'.

How to Use the Pitch Detector Online

Click Start, grant microphone access, then sustain any pitch. The note name (e.g. A4) appears in large text along with the exact frequency and how many cents you are sharp or flat. Use the keyboard visualizer to see which key on a piano matches. For singing lessons, hold a note and watch the cents reading drift: keeping it within ±5¢ for several seconds is a sign of solid pitch control. For instrument practice, the same display tells you whether you are landing exactly on the note or sliding around it.

Pitch Detection Use Cases

Common uses include: ear training (sing a note, then check whether you matched the target), transcribing melodies by humming them and writing down each detected note, identifying the key of a recording by holding the mic near the speaker, and confirming a vocal coach's exercises. Producers use pitch detection to identify samples in unknown keys. Songwriters use it to quickly capture melody ideas. Choral directors use it to check whether singers are drifting flat over a long phrase.

Why Is My Pitch Detection Inaccurate?

Background noise is the #1 culprit. Air conditioners, fans, and fluorescent ballasts produce strong low-frequency tones that confuse pitch detectors. Move to a quieter spot or use a directional microphone. For singers, vibrato wider than ±30¢ makes the detector struggle. Sustain a steady tone for 1–2 seconds before adding vibrato. For instruments, harmonics can occasionally fool the detector into reporting an octave too high or low. If you see '+1200¢' or '-1200¢' jumps, this is octave error: try playing more cleanly or moving closer to the mic.

Concert Pitch (A4): 432 vs 440 vs 442 Hz

Modern orchestras tune to A4 = 440 Hz as the international standard. Some European orchestras use 442 or 443 Hz for a slightly brighter sound. The 432 Hz movement is a niche alternative tuning some believe sounds 'more natural', though there is no scientific basis for the claim. For practical use: stick with 440 Hz unless you are playing along with an orchestra or recording that uses a different reference. The pitch detector lets you switch instantly so you can match any reference you encounter.

Compatibility

Works across all major platforms and browsers

Device / OS	Chrome	Firefox	Safari	Edge
Windows 10/11	✅	✅	:	✅
macOS Ventura+	✅	✅	✅	✅
Android 8+	✅	✅	:	✅
iPhone / iPad (iOS 14+)	✅	:	✅	:
Chromebook	✅	:	:	:
Linux (Ubuntu)	✅	✅	:	✅

Frequently Asked Questions

Within ±1¢ for clean signals.

Was this tool helpful?

Rate this tool

4.7 out of 5 · 2,104 ratings

Related Guides

Instruments

Best Free Online Tools for Musicians in 2025

Round-up of the best free browser-based tools for musicians: tuners, metronome, pitch detector, tone generator, and voice recorder.

8 minJun 8, 2025