Standard tuning frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (thickest) | E2 | 82.41 Hz |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
The low E string vibrates about 82 times a second; the high E, two octaves higher, four times as fast.
Frequencies for every guitar tuning
Note and frequency in hertz (Hz) for each string, from the 6th (thickest) to the 1st (thinnest). Select a tuning for its own page and tuner.
| Tuning | 6th | 5th | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | E2 82.41 | A2 110.00 | D3 146.83 | G3 196.00 | B3 246.94 | E4 329.63 |
| Drop D | D2 73.42 | A2 110.00 | D3 146.83 | G3 196.00 | B3 246.94 | E4 329.63 |
| Half Step Down (E♭) | E♭2 77.78 | A♭2 103.83 | D♭3 138.59 | G♭3 185.00 | B♭3 233.08 | E♭4 311.13 |
| Drop C♯ (Drop D♭) | C♯2 69.30 | G♯2 103.83 | C♯3 138.59 | F♯3 185.00 | A♯3 233.08 | D♯4 311.13 |
| Full Step Down (D Standard) | D2 73.42 | G2 98.00 | C3 130.81 | F3 174.61 | A3 220.00 | D4 293.66 |
| Drop C | C2 65.41 | G2 98.00 | C3 130.81 | F3 174.61 | A3 220.00 | D4 293.66 |
| DADGAD | D2 73.42 | A2 110.00 | D3 146.83 | G3 196.00 | A3 220.00 | D4 293.66 |
| Open G | D2 73.42 | G2 98.00 | D3 146.83 | G3 196.00 | B3 246.94 | D4 293.66 |
| Open A | E2 82.41 | A2 110.00 | E3 164.81 | A3 220.00 | C♯4 277.18 | E4 329.63 |
| Open D | D2 73.42 | A2 110.00 | D3 146.83 | F♯3 185.00 | A3 220.00 | D4 293.66 |
| Open E | E2 82.41 | B2 123.47 | E3 164.81 | G♯3 207.65 | B3 246.94 | E4 329.63 |
| Open C | C2 65.41 | G2 98.00 | C3 130.81 | G3 196.00 | C4 261.63 | E4 329.63 |
Ukulele frequencies
| Tuning | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukulele | G4 392.00 | C4 261.63 | E4 329.63 | A4 440.00 |
| Low G Ukulele | G3 196.00 | C4 261.63 | E4 329.63 | A4 440.00 |
How the frequencies are calculated
Modern instruments use equal temperament with the A above middle C (A4) fixed at 440 Hz. Each semitone multiplies the frequency by the twelfth root of two, about 1.0595, so twelve semitones — an octave — exactly double it. A note n semitones above A4 has the frequency 440 × 2n/12 Hz. The A string, two octaves below A4, is 440 ÷ 4 = 110 Hz.
What is a cent?
A cent is a hundredth of a semitone. Tuners show how far a string is from its target in cents, because the same number of cents sounds equally out of tune on a low string and a high one. This tuner counts anything within ±5 cents as in tune; most people cannot hear a difference smaller than that.
Why does a string show more than one frequency?
A plucked string vibrates at its fundamental frequency and, more quietly, at whole-number multiples of it — the overtones that give a guitar its sound. A tuner listens for the fundamental, which is the frequency in these tables. The first moment of a pluck is slightly sharp, so let the string ring for a moment before you read the tuner.