Written by Vincent Sullivan | Last updated: June 2026
Purpose of This Website
OnlinePitchDetector.com is a free, browser-based pitch detection tool and educational resource for measuring fundamental frequency in real time using the Web Audio API. The site is operated by Vincent Sullivan, audio signal processing educator.
By accessing or using any page or tool on OnlinePitchDetector.com, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this site.
These terms apply to all visitors and users of OnlinePitchDetector.com, regardless of how you access the site or which device you use.
Use of the Online Pitch Detector
Microphone access The Online Pitch Detector requires microphone access to capture live audio for fundamental frequency detection. By granting microphone permission when prompted by your browser, you authorise the site to capture a live audio stream for the sole purpose of detecting pitch. This audio stream is processed entirely within your browser, is never transmitted to any server, and is never stored in any form. Full details of how audio is handled are documented on the Data Security page.
Permitted use You may use the Online Pitch Detector and all content on OnlinePitchDetector.com for personal, educational, and professional reference purposes. You may share links to pages on this site freely.
Prohibited use You may not:
- Scrape, copy, reproduce, or republish the content of this site without written permission from Vincent Sullivan
- Use automated tools to access the site in a manner that places unreasonable load on the server
- Attempt to interfere with, disable, or circumvent any security feature of this site
- Misrepresent the source of this site’s content or present it as your own work
- Use this site in any way that violates applicable local, national, or international law
Tool Accuracy and Limitations
The Online Pitch Detector uses YIN autocorrelation-based fundamental frequency detection in the browser’s Web Audio API environment. Practical accuracy under typical conditions is ±2–5 cents in the range of 100–800 Hz. For frequencies below 100 Hz, accuracy may be ±5–15 cents.
The tool is subject to octave errors — results that are exactly one octave off from the true pitch — particularly for tones with strong upper harmonics and in low SNR conditions. The tool is monophonic and will not reliably detect chords or simultaneous intervals.
These tools are provided as educational and reference resources — not as certified measurement instruments. Results should not be used as the sole basis for any professional, commercial, or certified-accuracy decision without independent verification.
Full technical documentation of the detection pipeline, accuracy figures, and known limitations is available on the How It Works page. Guidance on specific error types is on the Troubleshooting page.
No Professional Advice
Nothing on OnlinePitchDetector.com constitutes professional music instruction, professional audio engineering, clinical audiology, or any other form of regulated or certified professional service.
Content on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Vincent Sullivan does not accept professional responsibility for decisions made on the basis of information or tool results obtained from this site. Where certified pitch measurement, professional intonation coaching, or instrument setup documentation is required, you should engage a qualified professional.
Acceptable Use
You agree to use OnlinePitchDetector.com only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of others. In particular, you agree not to:
- Use this site to facilitate any activity that is unlawful in your jurisdiction
- Transmit any content through the contact form that is threatening, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of this site or its underlying infrastructure
- Submit false or misleading information through the contact form
Vincent Sullivan reserves the right to restrict access to this site for any user who violates these terms.
Intellectual Property
All original content on OnlinePitchDetector.com — including written text, tool design, technical documentation, educational articles, and page structure — is the intellectual property of Vincent Sullivan and is protected by applicable copyright law.
You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this site without prior written permission from Vincent Sullivan. Brief quotations for commentary, criticism, or educational reference are permitted provided the source is clearly attributed and a link to the original page is included.
The Web Audio API, YIN algorithm, and browser technologies referenced on this site are the intellectual property of their respective owners and standards bodies.
Privacy and Cookies
Your use of OnlinePitchDetector.com is also governed by the site’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated into these Terms and Conditions by reference.
- Privacy Policy — what data this site collects and how it is used
- Cookie Policy — what cookies this site uses and how to manage them
By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood both policies.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Vincent Sullivan and OnlinePitchDetector.com shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from:
- Use of or inability to use this site or its tools
- Reliance on any pitch detection result, technical information, or educational content published on this site
- Any decision — professional, commercial, creative, or personal — made on the basis of content or tool results obtained from this site
- Interruption, suspension, or termination of access to this site
- Any security incident affecting data voluntarily submitted through the contact form
- Octave errors, noise floor errors, or OS processing artefacts in pitch detection results
As OnlinePitchDetector.com is a free service, the maximum liability of Vincent Sullivan to any user shall not exceed zero.
External Links
OnlinePitchDetector.com contains links to external websites for reference purposes — including signal processing research, music theory resources, and browser documentation. Vincent Sullivan does not endorse, control, or accept responsibility for the content, accuracy, privacy practices, or availability of any external site. Accessing external sites via links on this site is entirely at your own risk.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any dispute arising from your use of OnlinePitchDetector.com shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the territory in which Vincent Sullivan operates this site. If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Changes to These Terms
Vincent Sullivan reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The current version is always published at this URL with the “Last updated” date shown above. Continued use of OnlinePitchDetector.com after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. Material changes — such as the introduction of advertising or paid services — will be announced on the site homepage before taking effect.
Contact
If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions or wish to request permission to reproduce content from this site, contact Vincent Sullivan directly:
Email: contact@onlinepitchdetector.com Contact form: onlinepitchdetector.com/contact/
These Terms and Conditions apply to all pages and tools on OnlinePitchDetector.com. Written by Vincent Sullivan. Last updated: June 2026.