Most music today is tuned to A4 = 440 Hz. Tuning to 432 Hz lowers every note by about 32 cents, roughly a third of a semitone, so the instrument sounds slightly lower and, to many ears, a little softer. This 432 Hz tuner is our chromatic tuner with the Reference A already at 432 Hz, so every note, the needle and the cents are calculated from it.
People choose 432 Hz to play along with recordings made at that pitch, for meditation sessions, or simply because they like it. What matters is that everyone playing together uses the same A.
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone. The Reference A menu already shows 432 Hz.
- Play each open string or note: the tuner names the nearest note in the 432 system and shows the cents.
- Turn the peg until the needle is centered: each string ends up about a third of a semitone below its 440 position.
- To go back, choose 440 Hz in the same menu.
432 Hz with other instruments
Fixed-pitch instruments cannot simply jump to 432: an acoustic piano needs a full retune, and a flute or clarinet would have to pull out further than it was built for. Digital pianos, keyboards and DAWs usually have a master tune setting: set it to 432 Hz to match your strings. Some musicians call A = 432 Hz Verdi tuning.
Tips
- The reference you choose is saved on this device and shared with the other Lalatone tuners: switch back to 440 before tuning for a 440 band.
- Check a downloaded backing track first: not every song labeled 432 Hz really is.
- Retune after a few minutes: slightly looser strings settle as you play.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tune my guitar to 432 Hz?
Play each string here and tune it to the note shown, or open the guitar tuner: it uses the same saved reference.
What is the difference between 432 Hz and 440 Hz?
About 32 cents, a third of a semitone lower, by the same ratio for every note.
Is 432 Hz better than 440 Hz?
It is a matter of taste. There is no solid evidence that 432 Hz has special effects on the body or mind.
Can I play with other musicians at 432 Hz?
Only if everyone tunes to 432 Hz. Mixing 432 and 440 sounds clearly out of tune.
Can I hear a 432 Hz reference tone?
Yes. The tone generator plays any frequency, including an A at 432 Hz.