How to Tune a Guitar: Standard Tuning, Tuners and Tuning by Ear

Tuning is the first thing to do every time you pick up a guitar. Even a well-played chord sounds wrong on a guitar that is out of tune, and practicing on an out-of-tune instrument makes it harder to train your ear. The good news is that tuning becomes quick and automatic with a little practice. This guide covers standard tuning, how to use a tuner and how to tune by ear.

Standard tuning: the notes to know

Most guitar music is written for standard tuning. From the thickest string (closest to your face when you hold the guitar) to the thinnest, the strings are tuned to:

• 6th string: low E
• 5th string: A
• 4th string: D
• 3rd string: G
• 2nd string: B
• 1st string: high E

That gives the familiar pattern E-A-D-G-B-E. The two E strings are two octaves apart. Note that string numbers count from the thinnest string (1st) to the thickest (6th), which confuses many beginners at first.

Choosing a tuner

An electronic tuner is the easiest and most accurate way to tune, especially when you are starting out.

• Clip-on tuners attach to the headstock and sense vibrations through the wood, so they work well even in noisy rooms. They are the most popular choice for acoustic and electric players.
• Pedal tuners sit on the floor in an electric player’s pedalboard and usually mute the signal while you tune, which is handy on stage.
• Tuner apps use your phone’s microphone. They work well in a quiet room and are a good way to start.
• Built-in tuners are common on acoustic-electric guitars and in many amps and multi-effects units.

Most tuners have a chromatic mode, which shows the nearest note of any pitch, and some have a guitar mode that only looks for the six standard notes. Chromatic mode is more flexible because it also works for alternate tunings.

How to tune with a tuner, step by step

• Turn the tuner on and check that it is set to standard pitch (A = 440 Hz is the usual default).
• Pluck the 6th string firmly and let it ring. Watch the display.
• If the note is flat (below the target), tighten the string by turning its tuning peg. If it is sharp (above), loosen it.
• Turn the peg slowly and pluck again. Small turns make a big difference, especially on the thin strings.
• When the display shows E and the needle or light is centered, move on to the 5th string, and so on up to the 1st string.
• Go through all six strings a second time. Changing the tension on one string slightly affects the others, so a second pass catches small drifts.

Tune up to the note

If a string is sharp, loosen it until it is a little below the target and then bring it back up. Tuning up to the note helps the string settle against the tuning post and nut, so it is more likely to stay in tune while you play.

Make sure you are turning the right peg

Turning the wrong peg is a common way to break a string. Before you turn, follow the string from the nut to its tuning post with your eyes. If the pitch is not moving the way you expect, stop and check.

Tuning by ear: the fifth-fret method

If you don’t have a tuner, you can tune the guitar to itself. This gets the strings in tune with each other, although the whole guitar may be slightly above or below standard pitch unless the starting string is accurate. If you can, tune the low E string to a piano, a keyboard or a reference tone first.

• Press the 6th string at the 5th fret. That note is A. Tune the open 5th string until it matches.
• Press the 5th string at the 5th fret (D). Tune the open 4th string to match.
• Press the 4th string at the 5th fret (G). Tune the open 3rd string to match.
• Press the 3rd string at the 4th fret (B). Tune the open 2nd string to match. This is the one exception to the pattern.
• Press the 2nd string at the 5th fret (E). Tune the open 1st string to match.

When two notes are almost the same, you will hear a slow “wobble” or beating between them. As you get closer, the beating slows down and disappears when the strings match.

Why guitars go out of tune

A few things cause most tuning problems:

• New strings stretch. Fresh strings take a while to settle. Gently stretching each string along its length after fitting it, then retuning, helps them stabilize faster. Nylon strings on classical guitars stretch for longer than steel strings.
• Old strings. Worn, corroded strings lose their tone and often refuse to hold pitch or play in tune up the neck. If tuning has become a constant fight, a fresh set often fixes it. Our guide on how to choose guitar strings explains which type to buy.
• Temperature and humidity. Moving a guitar from a cold car into a warm room, or through dry winter air, changes string tension and the wood itself. Let the guitar adjust to the room before tuning.
• Setup issues. If the open strings are in tune but chords higher up the neck sound off, the intonation may need adjusting. A music store or guitar tech can check this as part of a setup.

Alternate tunings

Once standard tuning is second nature, you may want to explore others. Drop D (lowering only the 6th string to D) is the easiest to try and is popular in rock and folk. Open tunings, such as open G or open D, tune the open strings to a chord and are common in slide and blues playing. A chromatic tuner makes these simple, because you just tune each string to its new note.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I tune my guitar?

Every time you play, and again during longer sessions. Tuning only takes a minute once you are used to it.

Why does my guitar sound out of tune even when the tuner says it is right?

Common causes are old strings, pressing too hard on the frets, or intonation that needs adjusting. A setup by a technician can help, and a basic guide to essential guitar accessories covers the tools that make tuning easier.

Is it OK to use a free tuner app?

Yes. Apps are accurate enough for most players in a quiet room. A clip-on tuner is more convenient for noisy places and for playing with others.

I’m just starting out. Does the guitar I buy affect tuning?

Yes. Well-made tuning machines and a decent setup make a guitar easier to keep in tune. Our list of beginner-friendly guitars focuses on models known for being easy to play.

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