How to use the online guitar tuner
Getting in tune takes less than a minute. Follow these three steps:
- Open guitartuner.dev on any device. The tuner works on desktop, iPhone, and Android — no app install needed.
- Allow microphone access when prompted. Your browser asks for permission the first time. The tuner never records or transmits audio — everything runs locally.
- Play each string. The tuner detects the pitch automatically and shows how flat or sharp you are. Turn the tuning peg until the needle reaches center.
Standard guitar tuning (EADGBe)
Standard tuning is the default configuration for six-string guitar. From the thickest (lowest-pitched) string to the thinnest (highest-pitched), the notes are E, A, D, G, B, and e. Here are the exact frequencies for each string:
| String | Note | Octave | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (lowest) | E | 2 | 82.41 Hz |
| 5 | A | 2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 4 | D | 3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3 | G | 3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2 | B | 3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1 (highest) | E | 4 | 329.63 Hz |
Alternate guitar tunings
Standard tuning is the most common starting point, but many guitarists use alternate tunings to access different chord voicings and sounds. The tuner at guitartuner.dev supports several popular alternates. See the full alternate tunings guide for details on each one.
- Drop D — lower the low E string to D (DADGBe)
- Half Step Down — every string lowered by one semitone (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)
- Full Step Down — every string lowered by a full step (DGCFAd)
- Open G — tune to an open G major chord (DGDGBd)
- DADGAD — a modal tuning popular in Celtic and fingerstyle music
Tips for accurate tuning
Getting the most out of a microphone-based tuner is straightforward with a few habits:
- Tune in a quiet room. Background noise confuses pitch detection. Turn off TVs and avoid noisy environments.
- Let the string ring fully before reading the needle. The fundamental pitch stabilizes about half a second after you pluck. Wait for the needle to settle before adjusting.
- Tune up to pitch, not down to it. If you overshoot, tune below the target and work back up. This keeps the string under consistent tension.
- Change strings before recording. Old strings lose intonation and don't hold tune as well. Fresh strings sound brighter and stay in tune longer.
Frequently asked questions
Is this guitar tuner accurate?
Yes, it measures cents deviation (1/100th of a semitone) in real time. The needle shows exactly how flat or sharp each string is, so you can tune precisely rather than just approximately.
Does it work without Wi-Fi?
Once loaded, the tuner works offline. Only the initial page load requires a connection. This makes it reliable at gigs or practice sessions without internet.
What's the best way to tune an acoustic guitar?
Use a quiet room. Pluck the string firmly and let it ring, then watch the needle settle. Tune slowly using the tuning pegs, and always approach the target from below (tune up to pitch).
Can I use it to tune electric guitar?
Yes. Plug into an amp at low volume, or play unplugged near the microphone. Both approaches work well. The tuner detects pitch regardless of your guitar's output method.
What is standard tuning?
Standard tuning is E A D G B e from the lowest string to the highest, also written EADGBe. It is the default tuning for six-string guitar used in most lessons, tabs, and recordings.