C8 at every common reference pitch
A note’s frequency depends on what A4 is tuned to. The standard is 440 Hz; the other three are the ones you are most likely to meet. The cents column is how far each one sits from the 440 version — the same for every note, because changing the reference moves the whole scale together.
| Reference | C8 | vs 440 |
|---|---|---|
| A4 = 415 Hz · Baroque pitch | 3948.2 Hz | −101.3¢ |
| A4 = 432 Hz · “Verdi” pitch | 4109.9 Hz | −31.8¢ |
| A4 = 440 Hz · Standard (ISO 16) | 4186.0 Hz | — |
| A4 = 442 Hz · Orchestral | 4205.0 Hz | +7.9¢ |
One cycle of C8 lasts 238.9 µs, and its wavelength in air at 20 °C is 8.2 cm. Hold it as a steady tone in the tone generator.
C8 on the piano
C8 is key 88 of 88, counting from the bottom — a white key. Press any key below to compare it with its neighbours.
C8 on the guitar
C8 is above the highest fret of any standard guitar, so a guitar in standard tuning cannot play it.
C8 on the staff
Instruments that can play C8
4 instruments play C8 within the normal range, and 1 reach it only at the extreme of theirs. Each links to its range chart; for a transposing instrument, the note on its part is shown.
Woodwind
Tuned percussion
Keyboards and free reeds
Only at the extreme of their range
C8 is outside the typical range of all six voice types. Test your own range.
The harmonics of C8
A played C8 is not one frequency. A string or a pipe also sounds whole-number multiples of it, and the mix of those harmonics is the instrument’s tone. Here is where the first eight land — and why the 7th sounds out of tune against a piano.
| Harmonic | Frequency | Nearest note | Off by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (fundamental) | 4186.0 Hz | C8 | 0¢ |
| 2 | 8372.0 Hz | C9 | 0¢ |
| 3 | 12,558 Hz | G9 | +2.0¢ |
| 4 | 16,744 Hz | C10 | 0¢ |
| 5 | 20,930 Hz | E10 | −13.7¢ |
| 6 | 25,116 Hz | G10 | +2.0¢ |
| 7 | 29,302 Hz | B♭10 | −31.2¢ |
| 8 | 33,488 Hz | C11 | 0¢ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of C8?
C8 is 4186.0 Hz in equal temperament with A4 tuned to 440 Hz, the international standard. At A4 = 432 Hz it is 4109.9 Hz, and at the orchestral A4 = 442 Hz it is 4205.0 Hz.
Which octave is C8 in?
The number is the octave in scientific pitch notation, where each octave starts on C and C4 is middle C. C8 is in octave 8, 48 semitones above middle C. In Helmholtz notation, used in older books, it is written c′×5.
How do I play C8 on a piano?
C8 is key 88 of 88, counting from the bottom — a white key.
Which instruments can play C8?
4 of the instruments we chart play C8 within their normal range, including piccolo, xylophone, glockenspiel, piano, and 1 more reach it only at the extreme of their range.
Typing it? C8 is also written C8. Convert any frequency on the Hz-to-note converter.