Free Online Guitar Tuning Reference
Play standard and alternate guitar tuning reference tones.
Click any string to hear its reference pitch. The tones are synthesised, so they are steady rather than plucked, which makes it easier to compare against an instrument.
Standard tuning is the most common starting point. Alternate tunings change the string tension and the shapes of familiar chords, so recheck intonation after switching.
About the Guitar Tuning Reference
A guitar is normally tuned in perfect fourths with a major third between the second and third strings. Standard tuning from the lowest string to the highest is E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4. The two E strings are exactly two octaves apart, which is why the same note name appears at both ends of the fretboard. This reference plays a steady synthesised tone for each string so you can tune by ear, compare an instrument against a known pitch, or check a tuner after changing strings.
Standard and alternate tunings
- Standard: E A D G B E. The default for most styles and the basis for common chord shapes.
- Drop D: D A D G B E. The lowest string drops a whole tone, making one-finger power chords possible.
- Half-step down: E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭. Every string is lowered by one semitone, often used for vocal comfort or heavier tone.
- DADGAD: D A D G A D. A modal tuning popular in Celtic, folk, and fingerstyle playing.
- Open G: D G D G B D. Strumming the open strings produces a G major chord, favoured in slide guitar and blues.
- Open D: D A D F♯ A D. The open strings form a D major chord and suit slide work and fingerpicking.
How the frequencies are produced
Each string tone is generated with the Web Audio API using a triangle oscillator shaped by a short attack and a smooth decay. The pitch is calculated from MIDI note numbers with A4 equal to 440 Hz. Standard tuning's low E is MIDI 40 at about 82.41 Hz, while the high E is MIDI 64 at about 329.63 Hz. The reference is equal-tempered, so the interval between adjacent strings is not a pure just ratio. That is normal for modern instruments and is what a digital tuner expects.
Tuning by ear
Start with the lowest string and work upward, or begin with the string that is already closest to pitch. Listen for beats, the slow pulsing caused by two slightly different frequencies. As the string approaches the reference, the beating slows and eventually disappears. On a guitar, turning the tuning peg changes tension and therefore pitch; make small adjustments and always tune upward to the note to reduce slippage. Stretch new strings gently and retune several times before playing.
Practical notes
Changing to a dropped or open tuning lowers the overall tension, which can cause the neck to settle and the intonation to shift. Heavier gauge strings may be needed for very low tunings. The synthesised tones on this page are steady and harmonically simple, which is helpful for beginners, but an instrument's own overtones can make the comparison harder in a noisy room. Use headphones or a quiet environment for the best result, and keep the volume moderate to protect your hearing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tune the guitar with the reference tone or a tuner?
Both work. A tuner is faster and more precise for beginners, while tuning by ear develops important listening skills. Use the reference to check your ear and the tuner to confirm the final result.
Why does drop D only change one string?
Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D while the other five strings stay in standard tuning. This preserves familiar shapes on the upper strings and makes power chords easy to play with one finger.
Can I use these tones for a bass guitar?
The pitches are correct for guitar. A bass sounds an octave lower than written, so use a bass-specific reference or transpose the tones down an octave for the most comfortable comparison.