432 Hz vs 440 Hz.
How big is the difference?
| Feature | 440 Hz | 432 Hz |
|---|---|---|
| Status | International standard (ISO 16) | Alternative tuning |
| Pitch of A | 440 vibrations per second | 432 vibrations per second |
| Difference | Reference | about 32 cents lower (a third of a semitone) |
| Used by | Almost all orchestras, tuners, pianos | Some musicians, listeners, ritual use |
Played one after the other, most listeners hear that 432 Hz is lower. Heard alone, few people could tell which is which.
How 440 Hz became the standard
For centuries every city and every organ had its own A. In the 19th century pitch crept upward, and singers protested. On 16 February 1859 France fixed A at 435 Hz by law, the diapason normal. In 1936 the American Standards Association recommended 440 Hz, and in May 1939 an international conference at the BBC's Broadcasting House in London did the same. The International Organization for Standardization adopted it in 1955 as Recommendation R 16 and formalised it in 1975 as ISO 16.
Where 432 Hz comes from
Giuseppe Verdi, who wrote his Requiem of 1874 for the French 435 Hz, later indicated that 432 Hz would be slightly better for orchestras. A related idea, the scientific pitch, sets middle C at 256 Hz and gives an A of about 430.5 Hz. In 1988 the Schiller Institute began campaigning for this pitch and called 432 Hz "Verdi tuning".
The myths
Much of today's interest in 432 Hz comes from claims that it matches the frequency of nature, heals the body or was replaced by 440 Hz for sinister reasons. None of this is supported by robust evidence. 440 Hz won for practical reasons: orchestras, broadcasters and instrument makers needed one shared pitch.
So which one?
For playing with others, use 440 Hz. For listening, or for a personal ritual, choose what you like. We chose 432 Hz for the Cosmic Wishing Fork because it is a slightly lower, darker tone, and because choosing it is part of the ritual. Join the list.
Questions
Why is 440 Hz the standard?
Because musicians, broadcasters and instrument makers needed one shared pitch. 440 Hz was recommended in 1939 and confirmed as ISO 16 in 1975.
Does 432 Hz music sound better?
It sounds slightly lower. Whether that is better is personal taste. There is no robust evidence of a health effect.
How do I play music in 432 Hz?
Tune your instrument with A set to 432 Hz. Most electronic tuners let you change the reference pitch.