Ukuleles go out of tune frequently — especially when new. This guide walks through tuning a ukulele to standard GCEA using the free online tuner at guitartuner.dev, and explains why the strings behave the way they do so you know what to expect.
Standard ukulele tuning: GCEA
The four strings of a standard ukulele, from string 4 (closest to your chin when held normally) to string 1, are G, C, E, and A. One thing that surprises players coming from guitar: the G string is higher-pitched than the C string. This non-linear pitch order is called re-entrant tuning, and it is traditional on soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles. It gives the ukulele its distinctive bright, cheerful sound.
How to tune a ukulele step by step
- Go to guitartuner.dev and select Ukulele from the instrument menu at the top of the tuner.
- Play the G string (top string when the uke is held normally). Tune to G4 (392 Hz). This is higher than the C string — do not be surprised if it sounds surprisingly high.
- Play the C string. Tune to C4 (261.63 Hz). This is actually the lowest-pitched string on a standard ukulele, despite being string 3.
- Play the E string. Tune to E4 (329.63 Hz).
- Play the A string. Tune to A4 (440 Hz). This is concert A, the universal reference pitch.
- Go back and check G again. After tuning all four strings, the G string often drifts slightly. A quick second check gets everything perfectly in tune.
Why is the G string higher than C?
On a guitar, the strings go from lowest to highest pitch as you move from the widest string to the thinnest. Ukulele is different. The string order G-C-E-A has the G string at G4 — higher than C4. Instead of descending from thick to thin, the pitch goes high-low-middle-high. This re-entrant arrangement is a defining characteristic of the traditional Hawaiian ukulele sound. It means chord voicings ring out in a distinctive way that would not be possible with a linear pitch layout.
GCEA tuning reference table
| String | Note | Octave | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | G | 4 | 392.00 Hz |
| 3 (C) | C | 4 | 261.63 Hz |
| 2 (E) | E | 4 | 329.63 Hz |
| 1 (A) | A | 4 | 440.00 Hz |
How to stretch new ukulele strings
New nylon or fluorocarbon ukulele strings go out of tune constantly for the first few days. This is completely normal — the strings need to stretch and settle under the tension of the nut and bridge. Here is how to speed up the process:
- Tune the string to pitch.
- Gently pull the string away from the fretboard with your fingers — not sideways, but directly away from the body. Use moderate force.
- The string will go flat. Retune it to pitch.
- Repeat this process three to five times per string.
- After stretching all four strings this way, play for 15 minutes, then retune again.
After a few days of playing and retuning, the strings stabilise and hold pitch reliably.
Frequently asked questions
What is GCEA tuning?
Standard ukulele tuning: G4-C4-E4-A4, from the top string to the bottom when the uke is held normally. The G string (392 Hz) is higher-pitched than the C string (261.63 Hz), which is unusual compared to most stringed instruments.
Why does my ukulele go out of tune so fast?
New nylon strings need stretching. This is normal and expected. After a few days of playing and retuning, the strings will stabilise and hold tune much better. Manually stretching the strings (see above) speeds this up significantly.
How do I tune a baritone ukulele?
Baritone ukuleles use DGBE tuning — the same as the top four strings of a standard guitar. On guitartuner.dev, select Guitar and use standard tuning, tuning only the D, G, B, and e strings.
Is Low G or High G better?
High G (standard re-entrant tuning) gives a brighter, more traditional ukulele sound that most people associate with the instrument. Low G gives a fuller, guitar-like bass response and a wider pitch range. Most beginners start with high G.
Can I tune a concert ukulele the same as a soprano?
Yes. Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles all use the same GCEA standard tuning. The size differences affect volume, sustain, and tone, but the tuning is identical.