Violin Tuner
Press Start tuner, allow the microphone and bow or pluck an open string: the needle shows how many cents it is flat or sharp and turns green when it is in tune. Tap a string to hear a bowed reference note, and set A4 between 430 and 450 Hz to match your orchestra.
Press Start tuner and allow the microphone, then play one string.
Tune in a quiet room, play one open string at a time and let it ring. Use the pegs for big changes and the fine tuners for the last few cents. Everything runs in your browser — the microphone audio never leaves your device.
How to use the Violin Tuner
- Press Start tuner and allow microphone access when your browser asks.
- Play one open string with the bow or pluck it. Auto detect picks the nearest string; switch to Manual string to tune one string at a time.
- Follow the needle: left of centre is flat (tighten), right is sharp (loosen). Use the pegs for big changes and the fine tuners near the end.
- Stop when it turns green (within ±5 cents) and a tick appears on the string, then move on to the next string.
- Need to tune by ear? Tap a string or press Play reference tone to hear the target note.
Violin string frequencies
The violin's four strings are tuned in perfect fifths. The tuner calculates each target with the equal-temperament formula f = A4 × 2(n − 69) / 12, where n is the MIDI note number, so changing the A4 calibration moves every string together.
| String | Note | A4 = 440 Hz | A4 = 442 Hz | A4 = 443 Hz | A4 = 430 Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th (lowest) | G3 | 196.00 Hz | 196.89 Hz | 197.33 Hz | 191.54 Hz |
| 3rd | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 295.00 Hz | 295.67 Hz | 286.99 Hz |
| 2nd | A4 | 440.00 Hz | 442.00 Hz | 443.00 Hz | 430.00 Hz |
| 1st (highest) | E5 | 659.26 Hz | 662.25 Hz | 663.75 Hz | 644.27 Hz |
Violinists who tune by ear use pure fifths, where the frequency ratio is exactly 3 : 2 (702 cents). Equal-tempered fifths, like a piano's, are 700 cents, so the outer strings of a violin tuned by ear end up about 2 cents wider apart than this tuner shows. Both are well inside the ±5 cent green zone.
Fiddle cross tunings
| Tuning | Strings 4 → 1 | What changes from standard | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A E A E | A3 E4 A4 E5 | G up a whole step, D up a whole step | Old-time tunes in A, ringing drones |
| G D G D | G3 D4 G4 D5 | A down a whole step, E down a whole step | Old-time and Appalachian tunes in G |
| A D A E (“sawmill”) | A3 D4 A4 E5 | Only the G string up a whole step | Modal tunes in D and A |
| Half-step down | G♭3 D♭4 A♭4 E♭5 | All strings down a semitone | Playing along with recordings tuned down |
Change cross tunings gradually and return to standard tuning after playing, because raising strings increases the load on the bridge and soundpost.
How the violin tuner hears you
The tuner reads about 85 milliseconds of microphone audio many times per second, measures how strongly the signal repeats itself at each possible period (the normalised autocorrelation used by the McLeod pitch method) and picks the period of the fundamental. Sub-sample interpolation gives an accuracy of a fraction of a cent on a clean note. A median filter over the last few readings and a noise gate keep the needle steady between bow strokes.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are the violin strings tuned to?
From the lowest (4th) to the highest (1st) string the violin is tuned G3, D4, A4 and E5 in perfect fifths. With A4 = 440 Hz that is 196.00 Hz, 293.66 Hz, 440.00 Hz and 659.26 Hz.
Which string should I tune first?
Tune the A string first, because it is the reference string in an orchestra. Then tune D, G and finally E. Tightening one string slightly changes the tension on the bridge, so check all four strings once more at the end.
Should I use 440 or 442 Hz?
440 Hz is the international standard. Many European orchestras and some ensembles tune to 442 or 443 Hz for a brighter sound, and baroque groups often use 415 Hz. Set the A4 calibration to match the group you play with; the target frequencies of all strings update automatically.
Pegs or fine tuners?
Use the pegs when a string is far off (more than about 30 cents or the needle is pinned) and the fine tuners for the last few cents. Push the peg gently into the pegbox while turning so it holds. Most steel E strings are tuned with the fine tuner only.
Why does the needle jump around?
Background noise, a scratchy bow stroke or several strings sounding at once can confuse pitch detection. Play one open string with a steady bow, keep the instrument close to the microphone and tune in a quiet room.
Can I tune a viola or cello here?
This tuner's strings are set for violin and fiddle tunings. For a viola (C3 G3 D4 A4) or cello (C2 G2 D3 A3) use the chromatic tuner, which shows the nearest note for any pitch.
Is the microphone audio recorded?
No. The microphone signal is analysed live in your browser and is never recorded, stored or uploaded.