How accurate is the pitch detector?

Our tool is highly accurate, with a precision of within ±5 cents of a note. It uses the industry-standard YIN algorithm for reliable, real-time analysis suitable for both musicians and audio professionals. For more details, see our accuracy tests .

Is my audio data private and secure?

Absolutely. Your privacy is our top priority. All audio processing is done locally in your browser. No audio is ever recorded, stored, or sent to a server. You can read our full data security policy for more information.

The detector isn't working. What should I do?

First, ensure you have granted microphone access in your browser. If it's still not working, try using a quiet, echo-free environment and holding a clear, steady note. For a complete list of solutions, please visit our troubleshooting page .

What are 'cents' in music?

A 'cent' is a unit of measurement for musical intervals. There are 100 cents in one semitone (the distance between two adjacent notes on a piano). Our meter shows how many cents sharp (positive value) or flat (negative value) your note is, allowing for very precise tuning.

What is the difference between pitch and frequency?

Frequency is the scientific measurement of a sound wave's vibrations per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Pitch is the musical term for how high or low a note sounds to our ears. While they are related, pitch is a subjective perception, whereas frequency is an objective measurement. Learn more in our glossary .

Can I use this to tune my guitar?

Yes! This tool works perfectly as an online guitar tuner. Simply play each string one at a time and use the feedback to adjust the tuning pegs until the note is perfect. It works for acoustic and electric guitars (if played through an amplifier).

Pitch Accuracy Testing with Recordings: Best Practices

Accurate pitch analysis is essential for singers, choirs, and musicians looking to improve intonation and consistency. The Audio-File Pitch Detector lets you analyze MP3, WAV, and M4A recordings to measure pitch accuracy in real time, all in your browser with full privacy.

This guide covers best practices for testing pitch accuracy in recorded audio and getting the most reliable results.

Why Test Pitch Accuracy in Recordings?

Vocal Students: Track progress over time by reviewing practice sessions.
Choir Directors: Evaluate ensemble tuning on group recordings.
Music Teachers: Provide data-driven feedback to students.
Producers & Engineers: Check pitch consistency in studio tracks before mixing.

Live detection helps in real time, but recordings let you review details slowly and repeatedly for better insights.

Preparing Recordings for Accurate Pitch Analysis

Factor	Recommendation
Recording Quality	Use WAV for highest accuracy; MP3 for convenience
Mic Placement	20–30 cm away; avoid room echo or background noise
Steady Notes	Sustain each pitch for 2–3 seconds
Single Notes	Avoid chords unless analyzing multiple pitches

See Whistle & High Register Detection if testing high frequencies.

Step-by-Step: Pitch Accuracy Testing in Recordings

1. Open the Audio-File Pitch Detector

Go to Audio-File Pitch Detector — no downloads or sign-ups needed.

2. Upload Your Recording

Supported formats: MP3, WAV, M4A.

WAV gives best accuracy for subtle pitch variations.
MP3 works well for most teaching and practice recordings.

3. Analyze Results

The tool shows:

Note Names: Musical note detected for each segment.
Frequency (Hz): Standard tuning references like A4=440 Hz.
±Cents Deviation: Measures how sharp/flat each note is.

±Cents Reading	Pitch Accuracy
0–5¢	Perfectly in tune
6–15¢	Slight adjustment needed
>15¢	Off-pitch

4. Mark & Compare Sections

For choirs or students, compare:

First recording vs latest practice session
Individual vs ensemble performance

Pro Tip: Keep recordings organized by date for progress tracking.

Best Practices for Reliable Results

Quiet Environment: Background noise causes pitch flicker.
Consistent Microphone: Same device for all recordings ensures comparability.
Standard Tuning: Use A4=440 Hz unless ensemble uses A4=442 Hz.

For troubleshooting unstable readings, see Pitch Flicker: 9 Causes & Fixes.

Use Cases

Singers: Check intonation in warm-ups or performance pieces.
Choirs: Evaluate blend and harmonic stability across sections.
Instrumentalists: Test tuning consistency on scales and passages.
Teachers: Send students practice tasks with objective pitch feedback.

FAQs

1. Can I analyze full-length songs?
Yes, though processing time increases with file length.

2. Does it work for speech pitch analysis?
Yes, as long as fundamental pitch information is present.

3. Can I share results with students?
Yes, export or share screenshots for feedback sessions.

Ornella

Pitch Detector is a project by Ornella, blending audio engineering and web technology to deliver precise, real-time pitch detection through your browser. Designed for musicians, producers, and learners who want fast, accurate tuning without installing any software.