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Where is the Middle C (Sunday, 10 May, 2025)
According to the MIDI 1.0 (and 2.0) standard, the middle C on a piano keyboard is MIDI Note Number 60. However, the MIDI standard does not define the corresponding octave, which can be C2, C3, C4, or C5.
The following equation gives the frequency (Hz) of the key on a standard piano with the 49th key tuned to
at 440 Hz:
On the 88-key piano keyboard the middle C (designated as in Helmholtz pitch notation) would start the fourth octave (key number 40, corresponding to MIDI note number 60. The
is approximately 261 Hz). However, someone playing a flute with a narrower and higher range may denote
(523 Hz) as middle C. Therefore, some have argued to standardize
as the middle C.
Image. An 88-key piano, with the octaves numbered and Middle C (cyan) and A440 (yellow) highlighted. Copied from Wikipedia.
Table 1. Middle C defined as C3
MIDI Note Number | Note name |
127 | G8 |
120 | C8 |
60 | C3 (middle C) |
24 | C0 |
0 | C-2 |
Table 2. Middle C defined as C4
MIDI Note Number | Note name |
127 | G9 |
120 | C9 |
60 | C4 (middle C) |
12 | C0 |
0 | C-1 |