G4 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 | G4 | vs 440 |
|---|---|---|
| A4 = 415 Hz · Baroque pitch | 369.72 Hz | −101.3¢ |
| A4 = 432 Hz · “Verdi” pitch | 384.87 Hz | −31.8¢ |
| A4 = 440 Hz · Standard (ISO 16) | 392.00 Hz | — |
| A4 = 442 Hz · Orchestral | 393.78 Hz | +7.9¢ |
One cycle of G4 lasts 2.551 ms, and its wavelength in air at 20 °C is 87.5 cm. Hold it as a steady tone in the tone generator.
G4 on the piano
G4 is key 47 of 88, counting from the bottom — a white key. Press any key below to compare it with its neighbours.
G4 on the guitar
In standard tuning G4 is played in 4 places: 4th (D) string, fret 17, 3rd (G) string, fret 12, 2nd (B) string, fret 8 and 1st (high E) string, fret 3. The same pitch in each place, with a different tone: lower strings sound warmer. Guitar music is written an octave higher than it sounds, so on a guitar part this note is printed as G5.
G4 on the staff
Instruments that can play G4
47 instruments play G4 within the normal range, and 2 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.
Guitars and basses
Plucked and struck strings
Woodwind
Brass
Tuned percussion
Only at the extreme of their range
Voices: G4 is inside the typical range of the baritone, tenor, alto, mezzo-soprano and soprano. Test your own range.
The harmonics of G4
A played G4 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) | 392.00 Hz | G4 | 0¢ |
| 2 | 783.99 Hz | G5 | 0¢ |
| 3 | 1176.0 Hz | D6 | +2.0¢ |
| 4 | 1568.0 Hz | G6 | 0¢ |
| 5 | 1960.0 Hz | B6 | −13.7¢ |
| 6 | 2352.0 Hz | D7 | +2.0¢ |
| 7 | 2744.0 Hz | F7 | −31.2¢ |
| 8 | 3136.0 Hz | G7 | 0¢ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of G4?
G4 is 392.00 Hz in equal temperament with A4 tuned to 440 Hz, the international standard. At A4 = 432 Hz it is 384.87 Hz, and at the orchestral A4 = 442 Hz it is 393.78 Hz.
Which octave is G4 in?
The number is the octave in scientific pitch notation, where each octave starts on C and C4 is middle C. G4 is in octave 4, 7 semitones above middle C. In Helmholtz notation, used in older books, it is written g′.
How do I play G4 on a piano?
G4 is key 47 of 88, counting from the bottom — a white key.
Which instruments can play G4?
47 of the instruments we chart play G4 within their normal range, including violin, viola, cello, erhu, guitar, and 2 more reach it only at the extreme of their range.
Typing it? G4 is also written G4. Convert any frequency on the Hz-to-note converter.