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About F3
F3 has a frequency of 174.61 Hz in standard tuning, where A4 is fixed at 440 Hz. It is MIDI note 53 and key number 33 on an 88-key piano.
In equal temperament every semitone multiplies the frequency by the twelfth root of two (≈1.05946), so F3 is 16 semitones below A4: f = 440 × 2^((53 − 69) / 12) = 174.61 Hz. The number in the name is the octave in scientific pitch notation, which starts each octave on C.
F3 frequency in different tunings
| Tuning reference | F3 frequency |
|---|---|
| A4 = 440 Hz (ISO 16 standard) | 174.61 Hz |
| A4 = 442 Hz (many European orchestras) | 175.41 Hz |
| A4 = 443 Hz (Berlin, Vienna) | 175.8 Hz |
| A4 = 435 Hz (French diapason normal, 1859) | 172.63 Hz |
| A4 = 432 Hz (alternative tuning) | 171.44 Hz |
| A4 = 415 Hz (Baroque pitch) | 164.69 Hz |
| C4 = 256 Hz (scientific pitch) | 170.86 Hz |
Where to play F3 on a guitar
Standard tuning (E A D G B E), frets 0–22.
- 6th string (low E), fret 13
- 5th string (A), fret 8
- 4th string (D), fret 3
Intervals from F3
| Interval | Note | Frequency | Ratio (just) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor second | F♯3 | 185 Hz | 16:15 |
| Major second | G3 | 196 Hz | 9:8 |
| Minor third | G♯3 | 207.65 Hz | 6:5 |
| Major third | A3 | 220 Hz | 5:4 |
| Perfect fourth | A♯3 | 233.08 Hz | 4:3 |
| Tritone | B3 | 246.94 Hz | 45:32 |
| Perfect fifth | C4 | 261.63 Hz | 3:2 |
| Minor sixth | C♯4 | 277.18 Hz | 8:5 |
| Major sixth | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 5:3 |
| Minor seventh | D♯4 | 311.13 Hz | 9:5 |
| Major seventh | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 15:8 |
| Octave | F4 | 349.23 Hz | 2:1 |
Instruments and voices that can play F3
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of F3?
F3 is 174.61 Hz when A4 = 440 Hz (171.44 Hz if A4 = 432 Hz).
What MIDI number is F3?
F3 is MIDI note number 53.
Is F3 on a piano?
Yes – it is key 33 of 88.
Where is F3 on the guitar?
In standard tuning: 6th string (low E), fret 13; 5th string (A), fret 8; 4th string (D), fret 3.