Standard guitar tuning, string by string
Standard tuning is E A D G B E, from the thickest string to the thinnest. Tap a string to hear its reference note, or switch to half step down or full step down.
Standard (E A D G B E)
String 6 is the thickest string, nearest your face as you hold the guitar. String 1 is the thinnest.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | 82.41 Hz |
| String 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| String 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| String 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| String 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| String 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
Half step down (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭)
From standard tuning, lower every string by one semitone.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E♭2 | 77.78 Hz |
| String 5 | A♭2 | 103.83 Hz |
| String 4 | D♭3 | 138.59 Hz |
| String 3 | G♭3 | 185.00 Hz |
| String 2 | B♭3 | 233.08 Hz |
| String 1 | E♭4 | 311.13 Hz |
Full step down (D G C F A D)
From standard tuning, lower every string by two semitones, a whole step.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| String 5 | G2 | 98.00 Hz |
| String 4 | C3 | 130.81 Hz |
| String 3 | F3 | 174.61 Hz |
| String 2 | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| String 1 | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
1. Start with the thickest string
Pluck string 6 once, firmly, and let it ring. Read the note after the first attack has passed.
2. Turn toward the target
If the note is flat, tighten the string. If it is sharp, loosen it past the note and come back up.
3. Check every string twice
Tuning one string shifts the neck slightly. Go through all six, then check them again.
Measured, not claimed
In our benchmark, 100% of guitar clips settled within 5 cents of the true pitch, in a median of 148 ms. The full results and method are on the accuracy page.
What are the notes of standard guitar tuning?
From the thickest string to the thinnest: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3 and E4. A common way to remember it is Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie.
Which string is string 1?
String 1 is the thinnest string, the high E. String 6 is the thickest, the low E. Both are E, two octaves apart.
Should I tune up or down to the note?
Tune up to it. If a string is sharp, loosen it below the note and then bring it back up. The string settles against the tension and holds its pitch better.
Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly?
New strings stretch for the first few days, so they drift flat. Temperature and humidity changes move the pitch too. Retune before you play and it gets steadier as the strings bed in.
Can I tune without a tuner?
Yes, by ear, once one string is right. Fret the low E at the 5th fret and match the open A to it. Do the same for A to D and D to G. For G to B use the 4th fret, then the 5th fret again for B to high E.