How to tune a bass guitar online
Tuning a bass with the online tuner is quick and straightforward:
- Open guitartuner.dev on any device. The tuner works on desktop, iPhone, and Android — no app needed.
- Allow microphone access when prompted. All audio processing is local. Nothing is recorded or transmitted.
- Play each string firmly. The tuner detects the fundamental frequency and shows how flat or sharp you are. Adjust the tuning peg until the needle reaches centre.
Standard bass guitar tuning (EADG)
Standard bass tuning is EADG across four strings. These are the same note names as the four lowest strings of a guitar, but played one full octave lower. The frequencies are significantly lower, which is why a quiet environment helps the tuner lock on accurately.
| String | Note | Octave | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (lowest) | E | 1 | 41.20 Hz |
| 3 | A | 1 | 55.00 Hz |
| 2 | D | 2 | 73.42 Hz |
| 1 (highest) | G | 2 | 98.00 Hz |
5-string bass tuning
A 5-string bass adds a low B string below the standard E. This extends the lower range considerably, opening up deep bass lines without retuning. Select Bass → 5 String from the tuning menu to target this configuration.
| String | Note | Octave | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (lowest) | B | 0 | 30.87 Hz |
| 4 | E | 1 | 41.20 Hz |
| 3 | A | 1 | 55.00 Hz |
| 2 | D | 2 | 73.42 Hz |
| 1 (highest) | G | 2 | 98.00 Hz |
Drop D bass tuning
Drop D bass tuning lowers the E string by a whole tone to D1 (36.71 Hz), giving you the pattern D A D G. This is one of the most popular alternate bass tunings — the low D adds punch to root notes and power chords in rock and metal. Select Bass → Drop D from the tuning selector to use this configuration.
Tips for tuning bass guitar
Bass strings produce very low frequencies. A few small adjustments make a big difference when tuning with a microphone:
- Tune in a quiet room. Low frequencies are easily masked by background noise. Even conversation in the room can interfere with detection.
- Play each string firmly. A confident pluck gives the tuner a strong fundamental frequency to lock onto. Light touches can produce harmonics that confuse the detector.
- Wait for the note to develop. Bass strings have a slow attack. Give the note a moment to develop fully before reading the needle.
- The tuner works with acoustic bass and electric bass through a practice amp. Both approaches work — through an amp at low volume produces a strong signal even in a quiet room.
Frequently asked questions
What is standard bass tuning?
E A D G, one octave below the bottom four strings of a guitar. The strings run from E1 (41.20 Hz) at the lowest to G2 (98 Hz) at the highest.
Can I tune a 5-string bass with this tuner?
Yes. Select Bass → 5 String from the tuning selector. The tuner supports the low B0 string at 30.87 Hz. Tune in a very quiet room for best results with the low B.
Why is my bass hard to tune with a microphone?
Low frequencies are harder to detect than higher ones. Play in a quiet room, pluck the string firmly, and if possible hold the device near the bass body. Giving the string a moment to sustain before reading also helps.
What is Drop D bass tuning?
The E string is lowered to D1 (36.71 Hz), giving you D A D G. Drop D is common in rock and metal because it makes root-fifth power chords on the bottom strings very easy to play.
Does this work for acoustic bass?
Yes. Acoustic bass has a strong fundamental and tunes well with the microphone detector. Play in a quiet space and pluck firmly for the clearest reading.