How to Tune a Guitar: Tuners, by Ear and Alternate Tunings

By Wikum · August 5, 2026 · 5 min read · Beginner

Every guitarist tunes before playing — even professionals, every time they pick up the instrument and often between songs. It's the one habit that instantly makes you sound better. This guide covers the notes of standard tuning, three ways to tune, why guitars drift out of tune, and the alternate tunings you'll run into in songs.

The notes of standard tuning

From the thickest string to the thinnest, standard tuning is E A D G B E. Guitarists number strings the other way: the thin high E is string 1 and the thick low E is string 6.

Which way do I turn the peg?

Tightening a string raises its pitch; loosening lowers it. On most guitars with three tuners per side, turning the peg so the top moves towards the headstock's centre loosens the string, but designs vary. The safe way: pluck the string while turning slowly and listen to whether the pitch goes up or down. Never crank a peg several turns without plucking — that's how strings snap.

Method 1: an electronic or online tuner

A clip-on tuner, a pedal or our online microphone tuner is the fastest and most accurate method.

1. Pluck the low E string and let it ring.
2. Watch the display. It shows the nearest note and whether you're flat (too low) or sharp (too high).
3. Adjust until the needle is centred. Move to the A string and repeat for all six.
4. Go through once more. Tuning one string changes the tension on the neck slightly, which can pull the others a little out.

Method 2: the fifth-fret method (by ear)

If you have no tuner, you can tune the guitar to itself. It won't be at concert pitch unless your first string is right, but it will be in tune with itself, which is what matters when playing alone.

1. Assume the low E is correct (or match it to a reference tone).
2. Press the low E at the 5th fret. That note is A. Tune the open A string until it matches.
3. Press the A string at the 5th fret (D). Tune the open D string to it.
4. Press the D string at the 5th fret (G). Tune the open G to it.
5. Exception: press the G string at the 4th fret (B). Tune the open B string to it. This is because the gap between G and B is one fret smaller than the others.
6. Press the B string at the 5th fret (E). Tune the open high E to it.

When two notes are almost the same, you'll hear a slow pulsing or “beating”. As they get closer, the pulse slows down until it disappears. That's the moment you're in tune.

Method 3: harmonics

Lightly touch a string directly above the 5th or 7th fret wire without pressing it down and pluck: you'll hear a bell-like harmonic. The harmonic at the 5th fret of one string matches the 7th-fret harmonic of the next string (except G to B). Harmonics ring longer and are easier to compare than fretted notes, which makes this method popular for fine-tuning by ear.

Why won't my guitar stay in tune?

• New strings stretch. For the first day or two they go flat constantly. After restringing, gently pull each string up from the fretboard along its length, retune, and repeat a few times.
• Temperature and humidity. Bringing a guitar from a cold car into a warm room changes the tension in both wood and strings. Let it acclimatise for 15 minutes before tuning.
• Tuning down to the note. Always finish by tuning up to pitch. If you overshoot, go below and come back up. This removes slack in the gears.
• Pressing too hard. Squeezing chords hard can bend notes sharp, so in-tune strings can sound out of tune. Lighter pressure fixes it.
• Hardware. Worn tuners, a binding nut slot, or old strings that have lost their elasticity. Strings that are dull and won't hold pitch should be replaced.

Common alternate tunings

Drop D is the easiest place to start: lower only the 6th string until it sounds one octave below the open D string. All other chord shapes stay the same.

A note on reference pitch

Nearly all modern music tunes the A above middle C to 440 Hz. Occasionally you'll find recordings slightly off this standard, often because of tape speed. If every chord in a song sounds “between” the notes, change the tuner's A4 reference by a few hertz and retune to play along.