Example 1
100 cents -> 1.00 semitone.
Cents to semitones
Type cents from a tuner. The calculator divides them by 100. 100 cents is 1.00 semitone, 50 is 0.50, minus 50 is minus 0.50. Hertz f1 and f2 stay out.
Interval from Hz: semitones from a frequency pair. A Hz shift: transposition. Ratio: quotient f2/f1.
Result
Enter a value. The result shows up here.
How it works
In equal temperament an octave has 1200 cents and 12 semitones, so 100 cents is one semitone. You divide the typed number by 100. One hundred cents is 1.00. Fifty is 0.50. Fourteen, a common tuning offset, is 0.14. Seven hundred is 7.00, a tempered fifth. Two hundred is 2.00, a whole tone. Twelve hundred is 12.00, an octave.
The sign stays. Minus 50 cents is minus 0.50 semitone: the measured pitch sits below the target. Typed 0 is exactly 0.00, unison with the tuner target. Empty cents do not insert a tuner zero. Only a number in the field goes through the quotient.
There is no logarithm of two frequencies here. We do not ask for f1 and f2. If a tuner already gave cents, you only scale them to semitones. The interval page first finds k from a hertz pair, then may show cents. Transposition takes k and a base Hz and multiplies f1 by 2^(k/12). This converter does not touch hertz by itself.
The second card repeats cents to one decimal place so you can see the input rounding next to the semitones. Same number, different writing. The metric/US header does not turn a hundredth of a semitone into another tuning unit. A cent stays a hundredth of a semitone, not a hundredth of a dollar.
A comma and a period mean the same, so 14.5 and 14,5 give 0.145 semitone. Type 100, click Calculate, and match 1.00. Then 50 and 0.50. For an octave type 1200 or -1200, depending on direction.
When you want new Hz from those semitones, take k from the result and paste it into transposition with a base. Here the work stays a divide by 100.
How to use
- Type cents from a tuner. Minus means the pitch is low relative to the target.
- Click Calculate. 100 gives 1.00 semitone. 50 gives 0.50. Minus 50 gives -0.50.
- Typed 0 is unison, 0.00. An empty field does not insert a tuner zero.
- For an octave type 1200 or -1200, depending on direction.
- When you want new Hz, take k and open transposition. An interval from a Hz pair is another calculator.
Formula
semitones = cents / 100
1 semitone = 100 cents in equal temperament. The input sign is kept.
Tuner cents scaled to semitones
The calculator divides cents by 100. 100 cents is 1.00 semitone, 50 is 0.50, minus 50 is minus 0.50. Hertz f1 and f2 stay out.
- cents
- Hundredths of a semitone from a tuner, not hundredths of a dollar. 100 / 100 = 1.00. A 14 cent offset is 0.14. 1200 is an octave, 12.00.
- semitones
- cents / 100 in equal temperament. 700 cents is 7.00, a tempered fifth. The minus stays: -50 is -0.50.
Real-life examples
Example 2
50 cents -> 0.50 semitone.
Example 3
1200 cents -> 12.00 semitones.
Example 4
-50 cents -> -0.50 semitone.
Example 5
14 cents -> 0.14 semitone from the tuner.
Example 6
700 cents -> 7.00 semitones.
Example 7
0 cents -> 0.00, no offset.
Example 8
200 cents -> 2.00 semitones.
Ways to use this calculator
- You convert a tuner reading in cents to a fraction of a semitone before you move an oscillator in a DAW.
- You check whether a 14 cent offset is still close, or already a clear step on the grid.
- You fold 1200 cents into 12 semitones before you paste k into transposition.
Frequently asked questions
How many semitones are 100, 50, and 1200 cents?
1.00, 0.50, and 12.00. 200 cents is 2.00, a whole tone. 700 is 7.00, a tempered fifth.
Does minus 50 cents pass?
Yes. The minus stays on the result. Minus 50 is minus 0.50, the target is above the measured pitch.
Do empty cents count as a tuner zero?
No. A result appears after you type a number. Typed 0 is exactly 0.00.
How many cents in an octave, and in a whole tone?
An octave is 1200 cents, 12 semitones. A whole tone is 200 cents, two semitones. A semitone is always 100.
How is this different from an interval of two hertz values?
There is no f1 and f2 here. You divide ready cents by 100. The interval page first finds k from a logarithm.
Is 14 cents a lot?
That is 0.14 semitone. A tuner shows the offset. On a fixed synth pitch it can already be audible.
Why does the second card repeat cents?
So you see the input to one decimal place next to the semitones. Same number, different writing.
Does metric mode change a hundredth of a semitone?
No. A cent stays a hundredth. The header leaves this quotient alone.
How do I turn these semitones into a new frequency?
Take k from the result and paste it into transposition with a base Hz. This converter does not multiply hertz.
Does a comma in 14.5 work?
Yes. 14.5 and 14,5 are 0.145 semitone. Type the tuner number alone, with no space in the middle.
Knowledge sources
Frequency and intervals in this calculator follow the hertz and A440 concert pitch.
Page updated in 2026.