What cents mean in singing (and how our score works)
A cent is one hundredth of a semitone. It lets you say exactly how far a note is from the target, whatever octave you sing in.
Practise with the pitch trainer
The formula
The distance from frequency f1 to f2 in cents is 1200 × log2(f2 / f1). An octave is 1200 cents and a semitone is 100 cents.
| Change | Distance |
|---|---|
| 440 Hz → 445 Hz | +19.6 cents |
| 440 Hz → 436 Hz | -15.8 cents |
| 261.63 Hz → 277.18 Hz | +100.0 cents |
| 220 Hz → 440 Hz | +1200.0 cents |
How the trainer scores you
- About 25 times a second it estimates your pitch, and keeps only frames with a clear, steady voice.
- A frame counts as in tune when it is within ±25 cents of the target note — a quarter of a semitone. This is our practice threshold, not a rule of music theory.
- Your score is the share of voiced frames that were in tune. The average shows whether you tend to sit sharp (+) or flat (−).
- In scales, each note is scored the same way and the overall score is the average of the notes.
Tips for a steadier note
- Take a breath before you start the note, not halfway through.
- Listen to the reference, hum it once, then sing it on an open vowel such as “ah”.
- If the needle wobbles a lot, sing a little softer and keep the same distance from the microphone.