Start with your device volume low. Very low tones may be inaudible on phone or laptop speakers; very high tones can be uncomfortable on headphones.
About E3
E3 has a frequency of 164.81 Hz in standard tuning, where A4 is fixed at 440 Hz. It is MIDI note 52 and key number 32 on an 88-key piano.
In equal temperament every semitone multiplies the frequency by the twelfth root of two (≈1.05946), so E3 is 17 semitones below A4: f = 440 × 2^((52 − 69) / 12) = 164.81 Hz. The number in the name is the octave in scientific pitch notation, which starts each octave on C.
E3 frequency in different tunings
| Tuning reference | E3 frequency |
|---|---|
| A4 = 440 Hz (ISO 16 standard) | 164.81 Hz |
| A4 = 442 Hz (many European orchestras) | 165.56 Hz |
| A4 = 443 Hz (Berlin, Vienna) | 165.94 Hz |
| A4 = 435 Hz (French diapason normal, 1859) | 162.94 Hz |
| A4 = 432 Hz (alternative tuning) | 161.82 Hz |
| A4 = 415 Hz (Baroque pitch) | 155.45 Hz |
| C4 = 256 Hz (scientific pitch) | 161.27 Hz |
Where to play E3 on a guitar
Standard tuning (E A D G B E), frets 0–22.
- 6th string (low E), fret 12
- 5th string (A), fret 7
- 4th string (D), fret 2
Intervals from E3
| Interval | Note | Frequency | Ratio (just) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor second | F3 | 174.61 Hz | 16:15 |
| Major second | F♯3 | 185 Hz | 9:8 |
| Minor third | G3 | 196 Hz | 6:5 |
| Major third | G♯3 | 207.65 Hz | 5:4 |
| Perfect fourth | A3 | 220 Hz | 4:3 |
| Tritone | A♯3 | 233.08 Hz | 45:32 |
| Perfect fifth | B3 | 246.94 Hz | 3:2 |
| Minor sixth | C4 | 261.63 Hz | 8:5 |
| Major sixth | C♯4 | 277.18 Hz | 5:3 |
| Minor seventh | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 9:5 |
| Major seventh | D♯4 | 311.13 Hz | 15:8 |
| Octave | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 2:1 |
Instruments and voices that can play E3
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of E3?
E3 is 164.81 Hz when A4 = 440 Hz (161.82 Hz if A4 = 432 Hz).
What MIDI number is E3?
E3 is MIDI note number 52.
Is E3 on a piano?
Yes – it is key 32 of 88.
Where is E3 on the guitar?
In standard tuning: 6th string (low E), fret 12; 5th string (A), fret 7; 4th string (D), fret 2.