A = 440 or 442 Hz?
Which reference pitch to tune your violin to.
Violin tuner
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Or tune by ear with the reference tones, or tap a string button below to hear its note.
Use A = 440 Hz unless your orchestra, teacher or piano uses something else. 440 Hz is the international standard pitch. Many orchestras tune slightly higher, often to 442 Hz. Tap 440 or 442 in the tuner above and every string target moves together.
Violin strings at 440 and 442
| String | Note | Hz @440 | Hz @442 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | G3 | 196.00 | 196.89 |
| 3 | D4 | 293.66 | 295.00 |
| 2 | A4 | 440.00 | 442.00 |
| 1 | E5 | 659.26 | 662.25 |
Playing with a piano
A piano cannot be retuned quickly, so the strings follow the piano. Play its A and match your A string to it, or ask what pitch it was tuned to.
Questions and answers
What does A = 440 mean?
The A above middle C (A4) vibrates 440 times per second. All other notes are tuned relative to it. A = 440 Hz is the international standard pitch, ISO 16.
Who uses 442?
Many orchestras tune a little higher than 440, often to 442 Hz, and some go higher still. It varies between ensembles and countries, so ask your conductor or teacher.
How big is the difference?
About 8 cents, less than a tenth of a semitone. It is small but audible when instruments play together, so everyone in a group should use the same A.
More violin tools
- Online violin tunerTune with your microphone
- Reference tonesTune by ear
- How to tune a violinFor beginners
- Fine tuners and pegsWhich to turn, and how
- 1/2 and 3/4 violinsSame notes, smaller size
- Viola and cello tunerC G D A
- Online guitar tunerSister site for guitar
- Online bass tunerSister site for bass
Last updated October 23, 2026.