What is 432 Hz?
432 Hz is an alternative tuning pitch in which the note A4 is set to 432 vibrations per second instead of the usual 440. It is about 32 cents lower – roughly a third of a semitone. Some musicians and listeners prefer it and describe it as softer, warmer or more relaxing. This page plays a steady 432 Hz tone you can listen to, meditate with or use to tune an instrument to A = 432.
How to use this 432 Hz tone
- Listening or meditation: choose the soft triangle or pure sine tone, set a low volume and use the timer.
- Tuning: play your A string or note and adjust until the slow "wobble" (beats) between your note and the tone disappears.
- Comparison: open our 440 Hz tone in another tab and switch between them to hear the difference.
432 Hz vs 440 Hz – what is the real difference?
| 432 Hz | 440 Hz | |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch of A4 | 432 vibrations per second | 440 vibrations per second |
| Difference | About 32 cents (1.8%) – most people can hear it only side by side | |
| Used by | Some musicians, meditation and relaxation music | Most orchestras, bands, tuners and recordings (ISO standard) |
| Sound | Very slightly lower and darker | Very slightly higher and brighter |
Is 432 Hz really healing?
You will find many claims online that 432 Hz is "the frequency of the universe", is "mathematically natural", or heals the body. There is no reliable scientific evidence for these claims. The number of vibrations per second depends on the unit of time (the second), which is a human choice. A small 2019 study found slightly lower heart rates in people listening to music tuned to 432 Hz compared with 440 Hz, but it was a tiny pilot study and has not been confirmed. If 432 Hz music helps you relax, enjoy it – just know that the effect is about personal preference and the music itself, not a special property of the number.
How to tune a guitar to 432 Hz
- Set your tuner's reference pitch to A = 432 Hz (most tuner apps have a "calibration" setting), or use this tone.
- Tune the A string (5th string) to this tone until the beats stop.
- Tune the other strings relative to the A string as usual.
Alternatively, tune normally to 440 Hz and then tune every string down by about a third of a semitone.
Supported devices and browsers
- Any devicePhones, tablets and computers in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
- Best withHeadphones or a good speaker; small phone speakers make low tones sound thin.
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Start testFrequently asked questions
What note is 432 Hz?
It is the note A4 in "A = 432" tuning – about a third of a semitone below standard A4 (440 Hz).
Can I listen to 432 Hz while sleeping?
Yes, at a low volume. Set the timer so the tone stops on its own. Many people prefer soft music or brown noise for sleep rather than a single steady tone.
Is 432 Hz better than 440 Hz?
Neither is objectively better. 440 Hz is the international standard; 432 Hz is a matter of taste.
Why does 432 Hz sound calming?
A slightly lower pitch can sound warmer, and music made for relaxation is usually slow and quiet anyway. Those factors matter far more than the exact tuning.