Music Interval
Find the musical interval between any two notes. Determine interval name, quality, semitone distance, and short name for music theory and composition.
About This Calculator
The Music Interval Calculator helps musicians, composers, students, and music theory enthusiasts quickly determine the interval between any two notes. Whether you are practicing ear training, writing a chord progression, analyzing a piece of music, or studying for a music theory exam, this tool provides instant results with the correct interval name, quality, semitone distance, and letter-based interval number.
Intervals are the building blocks of melody and harmony. An interval is defined by two properties: the interval number (determined by the letter names of the notes, e.g., C to E is a third) and the quality (determined by the exact number of semitones, e.g., major, minor, perfect, augmented, or diminished). This calculator correctly handles enharmonic equivalents — C# and Db sound the same pitch but produce different interval names (augmented prime vs. minor second).
Interval Quality Rules
Perfect intervals: Unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves are perfect when the notes are in the natural major scale. Raising or lowering a note by a semitone creates augmented or diminished qualities. For example, C to F is a perfect fourth (5 semitones), while C to F# is an augmented fourth (6 semitones).
Major and minor intervals: Seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths are major by default in the major scale. Lowering the top note by a semitone creates a minor interval. For instance, C to E is a major third (4 semitones), while C to Eb is a minor third (3 semitones).
The tritone (6 semitones) is a special case — it can be called an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth depending on how the notes are spelled. This calculator determines the correct name based on the letter names of the two notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a musical interval?
A musical interval is the distance in pitch between two notes. In Western music, intervals are measured in semitones and named by their quality (perfect, major, minor, augmented, diminished) and number (unison, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, octave). For example, the interval between C and G is a perfect fifth (7 semitones).
How do you determine the interval between two notes?
To determine the interval between two notes, first count the letter names (ignoring sharps and flats) to get the interval number. For C to E, that is a third (C-D-E). Then count the semitones between the actual notes to determine quality. C to E has 4 semitones, making it a major third. Accidentals like sharps or flats adjust the quality accordingly.
What are the 12 basic intervals in music?
The 12 basic intervals within an octave are: perfect unison (0 semitones), minor second (1), major second (2), minor third (3), major third (4), perfect fourth (5), tritone (6), perfect fifth (7), minor sixth (8), major sixth (9), minor seventh (10), major seventh (11), and perfect octave (12). Each has a distinct sound and emotional character.
What is the difference between an augmented fourth and a diminished fifth?
Both span 6 semitones (a tritone), but the name depends on the note spelling. From C to F# is an augmented fourth because F is the fourth letter from C. From C to Gb is a diminished fifth because G is the fifth letter from C. They sound identical but are written differently depending on the musical context.
How many semitones are in a perfect fifth?
A perfect fifth contains 7 semitones. It is one of the most consonant intervals in music. Examples include C to G, D to A, and E to B. The perfect fifth forms the foundation of most chords and is the basis of the circle of fifths.
What is a compound interval?
A compound interval is any interval larger than an octave (more than 12 semitones). Examples include a ninth (octave + second, 14 semitones) and a tenth (octave + third, 16 semitones). Compound intervals are commonly used in jazz, classical music, and extended chord voicings.
Is this music interval calculator free?
Yes, this music interval calculator is completely free to use with no registration required. You can calculate intervals between any two notes, share results via URL, and use it for music theory practice, composition, or education.
Can I share my calculation results?
Yes, the URL updates automatically with your selected notes. You can share the URL with anyone, and they will see the same two notes selected when they open the link. Results will be calculated automatically if both notes are present in the URL.