How many total pitches are included in a chromatic scale?

A chromatic scale consists of all the available pitches within an octave, which include both the natural notes and their corresponding sharps and flats. In Western music, there are 12 unique pitches in an octave, including the seven natural tones (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) and their five accidentals (A♯/B♭, C♯/D♭, D♯/E♭, F♯/G♭, G♯/A♭).

When played sequentially, these pitches form a chromatic scale, moving by half steps from one note to the next. This characteristic of including all the pitches makes the chromatic scale an essential foundation in music theory, informing performance and composition across various genres and styles. The correct answer reflects this fundamental concept in music, showcasing the breadth of pitches available within a single octave.