Online Piano
This keyboard has five octaves in equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz, so middle C (C4) is 261.63 Hz. On a computer the Z to M row plays white keys and S, D, G, H, J play the black keys.
How to use
- Click or touch the keys. On a phone you can press several keys at once to play chords, and you can drag the keyboard sideways to reach other octaves.
- On a computer, the Z to M row plays white keys and S D G H J play the black keys. The Q to U row, with 2 3 5 6 7, plays the octave above. Hold a key to sustain the note.
- Use the minus and plus buttons, or the left and right arrow keys, to move the keys to a different octave. The key letters on the piano show where you are.
- Pick a note naming style (C D E or Do Re Mi), choose a sound shape and set the volume. Start low, because chords add up.
How it works
Notes use equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz. Each semitone multiplies the frequency by the twelfth root of 2, about 1.0595, so 12 semitones make an exact doubling. Middle C (C4) is 261.63 Hz.
Each key starts an oscillator with a short attack, a decay to a sustain level and a release when you let go. Four wave shapes are offered: triangle and sine are soft, square and sawtooth are brighter. The sound is made in your browser, not recorded.
Computer keyboard layout
| Row | Keys | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lower white keys | Z X C V B N M | C D E F G A B of the current octave |
| Lower black keys | S D G H J | C# D# F# G# A# |
| Upper white keys | Q W E R T Y U | C to B, one octave higher |
| Upper black keys | 2 3 5 6 7 | C# D# F# G# A#, one octave higher |
FAQ
Why is there no sound?
Browsers only start audio after you press or touch something on the page, so press a key once. Check that your device is not muted and the volume is up. On an iPhone, turn off the silent switch on the side.
Can I play chords?
Yes. On a computer, hold several keys together. On a touch screen, press with several fingers. Up to 16 notes can sound at once.
Why do some keys not respond on my computer keyboard?
Some keyboards cannot register many keys pressed at once, especially in some combinations, and the limit is in the keyboard hardware. A touch screen or the mouse is not limited this way.
Is this a real piano sound?
No. It is a simple synthesizer built from an oscillator and an envelope, which keeps the page small and fast. It is good for finding a note or practising a tune, not for imitating a concert piano.