What is a musical interval?

A musical interval is the distance between two pitches, measured in semitones or by interval name (e.g., major third, perfect fifth). In equal temperament, each semitone equals 100 cents, and an octave is 12 semitones (1200 cents).

What are just intonation ratios?

Just intonation ratios represent the simple frequency ratios that produce the purest-sounding intervals. A perfect fifth is 3:2 (the second note vibrates 1.5 times as fast), while a major third is 5:4. Equal temperament slightly adjusts these ratios so all keys sound equally in tune.

What is the difference between ascending and descending intervals?

This calculator shows ascending intervals (from the first note up to the second). A descending interval would be the complement: e.g., a descending perfect fifth from C is F, which is the same as an ascending perfect fourth.

AudioCalcs

Interval Calculator — Musical Intervals

Find the musical interval between two notes with semitone count, cents and just intonation ratio.

First Note

Second Note

How We Calculate This

The interval is calculated by counting the number of semitones between the two notes. In equal temperament, each semitone is exactly 100 cents.

Cents = semitones × 100

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard formulas. Always verify results for critical applications.