How Many Holes Does a Flute Have?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 31, 2020

The number of holes in a flute varies from one type to another, with popular types having six, eight, and 11 holes. The standard Western concert flute has eight holes, one of them being located near the top of the instrument.

The flute is the oldest musical instrument developed by humans. It produces sound when the player directs a stream of air across a hole that creates vibrations of air. Indian flutes have eight holes, whereas Chinese ones may have any number of holes between six and 11. Flutes exist in a variety of shapes that vary from one culture to another across the globe.