Cents
A logarithmic unit that divides each semitone into 100 equal parts, used for precise measurement of pitch intervals.
Category
pitch
Pronunciation
/sɛnts/
Origin
Latin (centum, hundred)
Length
162 words · 1 min read
About Cents
The cent system provides a way to describe intervals far smaller than a semitone, which is essential for tuning, intonation analysis, and comparing temperaments. One octave equals 1,200 cents; one equal-tempered semitone equals exactly 100 cents.
More pitch terms
Temperament
View all pitchterms →A tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches within an octave are spaced.
IntervalThe distance in pitch between two notes.
FrequencyThe number of sound-wave vibrations per second, measured in hertz, that determines how high or low a pitch sounds.
Transposing InstrumentAn instrument whose notated pitch differs from the actual sounding pitch it produces.
ScaleAn ordered series of pitches ascending or descending by step.
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →