Banjo Tuner

Press Start tuner, allow the microphone and pick a string: the needle shows how many cents you are flat or sharp, and turns green when the string is in tune. Works for 5-string banjo in Open G and other tunings, plus 4-string tenor and plectrum banjo.

Last updated: October 24, 2026

How to use the Banjo Tuner

1. Choose your tuning: Open G (g D G B D) is the standard for 5-string banjo. Set the capo fret if you are playing with a capo.
2. Press Start tuner and allow microphone access when the browser asks.
3. Pick one string and let it ring. In Auto detect the tuner shows which string it hears; switch to Manual string to lock onto one string.
4. Turn the peg until the needle is centred and turns green. Left of centre is flat (tighten), right is sharp (loosen).
5. Check by ear: tap a string button for its reference note, or press Play all strings to hear the whole open tuning.

Banjo tuning chart (A4 = 440 Hz)

Strings are listed from the short 5th string to the 1st string, the order they sit on the neck. Frequencies follow the equal-temperament formula f = 440 × 2^{(n − 69) / 12}, where n is the MIDI note number.

Tips for a stable banjo tuning

• Tune up to the note. If a string is sharp, drop it below pitch and bring it back up so the gear holds it.
• Check the bridge. The floating bridge is held only by string pressure. If it has moved, the fretted notes will be out of tune even when the open strings read green.
• Head tension matters. A loose head lets the bridge sink and makes the tuning drift; tighten the head evenly with the hooks if the tone sounds dull.
• Re-check after a big change. Going from Open G to Double C changes the pull on the neck and head, so tune all strings twice.
• Check fretted notes too. In Open G the 4th string at the 5th fret should sound the same as the open 3rd string (G3), and the 1st string at the 5th fret should sound exactly like the open 5th string (G4).

Frequently asked questions

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