Ukulele Tuner
Press Start tuner, allow the microphone and pluck a string: the needle shows whether it is flat or sharp and turns green when it is in tune. Prefer tuning by ear? Tap a string to hear its note, with an optional loop.
Press Start tuner and allow the microphone, then pluck one string.
Tune in a quiet room and pluck one string at a time. In standard tuning the G string is the high (re-entrant) G4, higher than C and E. Everything runs in your browser — the microphone audio never leaves your device.
How to use the Ukulele Tuner
- Choose the tuning: standard GCEA for most soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles, low G if you use a wound low G string, or baritone DGBE.
- Press Start tuner and allow microphone access.
- Pluck one string and let it ring. Auto detect shows which string you are playing.
- Turn the peg until the needle is in the middle and the display turns green: left means flat (tighten), right means sharp (loosen).
- Tune by ear instead: tap a string button to hear its reference note and tick Repeat tone to loop it while you adjust.
Ukulele tunings and string frequencies
Strings are listed from the 4th string (top, nearest your chin) to the 1st string, with frequencies for A4 = 440 Hz.
| Tuning | String 4 | String 3 | String 2 | String 1 | Typical ukulele |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (high G) | G4 · 392.00 Hz | C4 · 261.63 Hz | E4 · 329.63 Hz | A4 · 440.00 Hz | Soprano, concert, tenor |
| Low G | G3 · 196.00 Hz | C4 · 261.63 Hz | E4 · 329.63 Hz | A4 · 440.00 Hz | Concert, tenor |
| Baritone | D3 · 146.83 Hz | G3 · 196.00 Hz | B3 · 246.94 Hz | E4 · 329.63 Hz | Baritone |
| D tuning | A4 · 440.00 Hz | D4 · 293.66 Hz | F♯4 · 369.99 Hz | B4 · 493.88 Hz | Soprano (vintage) |
Standard tuning forms a C6 chord (C, E, G, A), so strumming the open strings of a well-tuned ukulele sounds bright and harmonious. Baritone tuning forms a G6 chord.
Tuning by ear with the reference tones
- Tap a string button to hear a plucked reference note, then pluck the same string and listen.
- Listen for beating: when two nearly equal notes sound together you hear a slow "wah-wah" pulsing. The slower the pulsing, the closer you are; when it stops the string is in tune.
- Tick Repeat tone to loop the reference while both hands are on the instrument.
- Relative tuning check: once the A string is in tune, the 5th fret of the E string should match the open A, the 4th fret of the C string should match the open E, and the 2nd fret of the G string (high G) should match the open A.
Ukulele sizes
| Size | Approx. scale length | Usual tuning |
|---|---|---|
| Soprano | 33 cm (13 in) | GCEA high G |
| Concert | 38 cm (15 in) | GCEA high or low G |
| Tenor | 43 cm (17 in) | GCEA high or low G |
| Baritone | 48–51 cm (19–20 in) | DGBE |
All of the first three sizes use the same notes; larger bodies simply sound fuller and give more room between frets. Scale lengths vary a little between makers. If you switch a concert or tenor ukulele to low G, buy a dedicated low-G string set, because the regular high-G string would be far too slack an octave lower.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of a ukulele in standard tuning?
From the string closest to your chin to the one closest to the floor: G4, C4, E4 and A4 (392.00, 261.63, 329.63 and 440.00 Hz). Many people remember it with the phrase 'My Dog Has Fleas'.
What is the difference between high G and low G?
In standard re-entrant tuning the G string is tuned to G4, higher than the C and E strings, which gives the ukulele its bright, classic sound. In low-G tuning the G string is tuned an octave lower to G3 (196 Hz), which gives a fuller range. Low G needs a thicker, often wound, string.
How do I tune a baritone ukulele?
A baritone ukulele is tuned D3 G3 B3 E4, the same as the top four strings of a guitar. Select Baritone D G B E in the tuning menu.
What is D tuning on a ukulele?
D tuning (A4 D4 F♯4 B4) is every string a whole step higher than standard tuning. It was popular on older soprano ukuleles and gives a brighter sound. Only use it on instruments and strings designed for the extra tension.
Why does my new ukulele keep going out of tune?
Nylon and fluorocarbon strings stretch a lot during the first days. Tune up, gently pull each string away from the fretboard, then tune again. Repeat a few times a day until the strings settle.
The tuner shows the wrong string — what should I do?
Switch to Manual string and tap the string you want to tune; the gauge then always measures against that string. This helps when a string is very far out of tune, for example after fitting new strings.
Does the tuner record my audio?
No. The microphone signal is analysed live in your browser and nothing is saved or uploaded. Press Stop tuner to release the microphone.