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What Is a Music Interval?
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A music interval is the distance in pitch between two notes. Intervals are the building blocks of melody and harmony. Every chord, scale, and melody can be described as a series of intervals. Understanding intervals helps musicians transpose songs, build chords, improvise, and communicate musical ideas efficiently.
How to Use This Interval Calculator
Choose a starting note and an ending note from the dropdowns above. The calculator instantly shows:
- Interval name — the standard musical name (e.g., Major Third, Perfect Fifth)
- Semitone count — the number of half steps between the two notes
- Frequency ratio — the just-intonation ratio of the interval
- Piano visualization — both notes highlighted on a keyboard
- Audio playback — hear each note individually, together, or in sequence
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Complete Interval Reference Table
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| Semitones | Interval Name | Example | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Perfect Unison | C → C | 1:1 |
| 1 | Minor Second | C → C# | 16:15 |
| 2 | Major Second | C → D | 9:8 |
| 3 | Minor Third | C → D# | 6:5 |
| 4 | Major Third | C → E | 5:4 |
| 5 | Perfect Fourth | C → F | 4:3 |
| 6 | Tritone | C → F# | 45:32 |
| 7 | Perfect Fifth | C → G | 3:2 |
| 8 | Minor Sixth | C → G# | 8:5 |
| 9 | Major Sixth | C → A | 5:3 |
| 10 | Minor Seventh | C → A# | 9:5 |
| 11 | Major Seventh | C → B | 15:8 |
| 12 | Perfect Octave | C → C | 2:1 |
Tips for Learning Intervals
- Associate each interval with a famous melody: Minor Second = "Jaws" theme, Perfect Fifth = "Star Wars" opening.
- Practice singing intervals ascending and descending to train your ear.
- Use this calculator to check your answers when doing ear training exercises.