Free Online Tuner

What is a Tuner?

A tuner is a device that detects a note's pitch when played on a musical instrument, and compares it to the desired pitch. The tuner indicates whether the note is too high (sharp), too low (flat), or in tune, helping musicians tune their instruments easily.

It's most common to use a tuner for string instruments such as guitars and violins. Over time, the strings stretch and loosen, and the instruments need to be tuned regularly to maintain optimal sound. Most tuners are "chromatic tuners" and detect all 12 distinct notes in Western music.

Using the Online Tuner

To tune your instrument, click the green microphone button. You will be asked to allow access to your device's microphone so the tuner can hear what you play. As you play a note on your instrument, adjust the pitch until the tuner indicates the note is in tune (green indicator, centered needle).

Standard Tunings by Instrument

You can use a tuner for all musical instruments. The notes are written from lowest to highest, except for the ukulele and banjo that don't have strings ordered by pitch:

• Guitar: E A D G B E (standard tuning for classical, acoustic, and electric)
• Bass Guitar: E A D G (4-string), B E A D G (5-string)
• Ukulele: G C E A (re-entrant tuning - G is higher than C)
• Banjo: G D G B D (open G tuning)
• Mandolin: G G D D A A E E (paired strings tuned in unison)
• Violin: G D A E (perfect fifths)
• Viola: C G D A (a fifth below violin)
• Cello: C G D A (an octave below viola)
• Double Bass: E A D G (same as bass guitar)

Tips for Best Results

• Quiet environment: Background noise can interfere with pitch detection
• One string at a time: Mute other strings while tuning
• Let notes ring: Give the tuner time to analyze the pitch
• Tune up to pitch: If a string is sharp, loosen it below the target note and tune up
• Double-check: Tuning one string can affect others, so check all strings again

Why Do Instruments Go Out of Tune?

String instruments go out of tune due to several factors:

• String stretching: New strings need time to settle and will go flat frequently
• Temperature changes: Heat causes strings to expand (go flat), cold causes contraction (go sharp)
• Humidity: Affects the wood of the instrument, changing string tension
• Playing: Bending notes and heavy playing gradually pull strings out of tune
• Tuning peg slippage: Mechanical issues can cause tuning instability