G8 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 | G8 | vs 440 |
|---|---|---|
| A4 = 415 Hz · Baroque pitch | 5915.6 Hz | −101.3¢ |
| A4 = 432 Hz · “Verdi” pitch | 6157.9 Hz | −31.8¢ |
| A4 = 440 Hz · Standard (ISO 16) | 6271.9 Hz | — |
| A4 = 442 Hz · Orchestral | 6300.4 Hz | +7.9¢ |
One cycle of G8 lasts 159.4 µs, and its wavelength in air at 20 °C is 5.5 cm. Hold it as a steady tone in the tone generator.
G8 on the piano
G8 is above the top of an 88-key piano, whose highest key is C8 — 7 semitones higher. Press any key below to compare it with its neighbours.
G8 on the guitar
G8 is above the highest fret of any standard guitar, so a guitar in standard tuning cannot play it.
G8 on the staff
Instruments that can play G8
None of the instruments in our range charts reach G8.
G8 is outside the typical range of all six voice types. Test your own range.
The harmonics of G8
A played G8 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) | 6271.9 Hz | G8 | 0¢ |
| 2 | 12,544 Hz | G9 | 0¢ |
| 3 | 18,816 Hz | D10 | +2.0¢ |
| 4 | 25,088 Hz | G10 | 0¢ |
| 5 | 31,360 Hz | B10 | −13.7¢ |
| 6 | 37,632 Hz | D11 | +2.0¢ |
| 7 | 43,903 Hz | F11 | −31.2¢ |
| 8 | 50,175 Hz | G11 | 0¢ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of G8?
G8 is 6271.9 Hz in equal temperament with A4 tuned to 440 Hz, the international standard. At A4 = 432 Hz it is 6157.9 Hz, and at the orchestral A4 = 442 Hz it is 6300.4 Hz.
Which octave is G8 in?
The number is the octave in scientific pitch notation, where each octave starts on C and C4 is middle C. G8 is in octave 8, 55 semitones above middle C. In Helmholtz notation, used in older books, it is written g′×5.
How do I play G8 on a piano?
G8 is above the top of an 88-key piano, whose highest key is C8 — 7 semitones higher.
Which instruments can play G8?
None of the instruments we chart reach G8; it is outside the range of ordinary instruments.
Typing it? G8 is also written G8. Convert any frequency on the Hz-to-note converter.