Harmonic Series Calculator

Calculates partials for harmonic & subharmonic (utonal) series using scaling, exponent and addition constants. Output is tab-delimited for Excel, with MIDI mapping and cents adjustment.

Auto-filled from note+octave; editable for fine tuning.
1.0 = normal
1.0 = normal
Add or subtract Hz as per formula
Harmonic / Subharmonic Table
# Frequency (Hz) MIDI # Keyboard Key Pitch Adjustment (cents) Play
No harmonics generated yet — click Generate.
Partial Frequency MIDI# KeyboardKey Pitch Adjustment (cents)
Frequencies shown to 2 decimal places; internal calculations use full precision. MIDI numbers rounded to nearest integer. Adjustment = cents difference between frequency and rounded MIDI note.

This Harmonic Series Calculator helps you compute the sequence of harmonic overtones and frequency intervals from a given base pitch. Enter a base frequency in hertz (Hz) to display corresponding harmonics, ratios, and pitch relationships — ideal for musicians, acousticians, and sound designers.

Formulas used:
Harmonics:
  f_n = f0 * ( s*(n-1) + 1 )^e + α

Subharmonics (Utonality):
  f_n = f0 * ( s*(n-1) + 1 )^e - α

Where:
  f0 = fundamental frequency (Hz)
  s  = scaling factor
  n  = partial number (1..N)
  e  = exponent
  α  = frequency addition (Hz)
Quantize: microtones quantized by rounding semitone value to selected fraction.
              

Use cases

  • Study overtone structure and timbre components.
  • Create additive synthesis patches with custom partials.
  • Compare harmonic partials to equal-tempered MIDI notes using cents adjustment.
  • Export data to Excel/DAW for analysis or tuning work.

FAQ

Utonality (subharmonics) are frequencies below the fundamental produced by inverting the harmonic series (partials like 1/2, 1/3 ... of the fundamental). This tool approximates subharmonics using the provided formula.

Quantization rounds microtonal pitches to the nearest fraction of a semitone (1/4-tone, 1/8-tone etc.), useful for mapping to microtonal systems or simplifying data before export.