How to Tune a Guitar in Standard E (440 Hz)

Standard Guitar Tuning: E–A–D–G–B–E

Standard tuning for a 6-string guitar is E–A–D–G–B–E, read from the thickest, lowest-pitched string to the thinnest, highest-pitched string.

That means:

• 6th string: E
• 5th string: A
• 4th string: D
• 3rd string: G
• 2nd string: B
• 1st string: E

If you simply need to remember the string notes, think from low to high: E A D G B E.

You can also explore the string layout visually with TuneMap, which shows standard and alternate tunings for 6-, 7- and 8-string guitars.

Standard Guitar Tuning Frequencies

In standard tuning with A4 = 440 Hz, the six open guitar strings have the following approximate fundamental frequencies:

These values assume twelve-tone equal temperament with A4 set to 440 Hz. If you change the reference pitch, the note names remain the same but their exact frequencies shift.

If you want to calculate or compare exact frequencies for other notes and reference pitches, use the free Note / Freq calculator.

What Does 440 Hz Mean When Tuning a Guitar?

One common source of confusion is the phrase “440 Hz tuning.” It does not mean that your guitar strings are all tuned to 440 Hz.

A4 = 440 Hz is the reference pitch used to calculate the pitch of the other notes. The open A string on a standard guitar is A2, which is two octaves below A4 and therefore has a fundamental frequency of approximately 110 Hz.

Your tuner normally uses A4 = 440 Hz as its reference unless you deliberately change that setting.

How to Tune a Guitar With a Tuner

The simplest and most accurate method for most players is to use a chromatic guitar tuner.

1. Make sure the tuner is set to A4 = 440 Hz.
2. Start with the low 6th string.
3. Play one string clearly and let it ring.
4. Check that the tuner detects the correct note.
5. If the pitch is flat, carefully tighten the string.
6. If the pitch is sharp, loosen it slightly and tune back upward toward the note.
7. Repeat for all six strings: E–A–D–G–B–E.
8. When all six strings are tuned, check them again from the beginning.

For a browser-based tuner, you can use our free PITCHR Chromatic Guitar Tuner. It can detect pitch through your microphone and lets you work with standard or adjusted reference pitches.

Why You Should Tune Up to the Note

When possible, approach the target pitch from slightly below rather than tuning down from above and stopping there.

If a string is sharp, loosen it slightly below the target and then tighten it back up to pitch. This can help the string settle more consistently through the nut and tuning mechanism.

Make small adjustments. A tuning machine can change the pitch more quickly than beginners expect, especially on the thinner strings.

Why You Should Check the Strings Again After Tuning

Tuning one string changes its tension. Depending on the guitar, bridge design and setup, that change can slightly affect the tension of the other strings.

This is particularly noticeable on guitars with floating tremolo systems, but even a fixed-bridge guitar can benefit from a second tuning pass.

Tune all six strings, then go through E–A–D–G–B–E once more and make any small corrections.

Different Types of Guitar Tuners

Guitar tuners come in several formats. A pedal tuner is convenient for electric guitarists because it can remain permanently connected to a pedalboard and usually lets you mute the signal while tuning.

Clip-on tuners detect vibration through the instrument and are useful for acoustic guitars, rehearsals and portable setups. Chromatic tuners detect any note rather than only the six notes of standard guitar tuning, which makes them useful for alternate tunings and intonation work.

Software and browser-based tuners such as PITCHR can also be practical when you have a phone, tablet or computer available.

The format matters less than having a tuner that gives you a clear, stable reading and is easy enough to use that you actually tune before playing.

How Hard Should You Pick the String While Tuning?

Do not attack the string as hard as possible.

A strongly picked string can initially sound slightly sharp before settling. Play the string clearly with roughly the force you normally use and allow the pitch to stabilise before making the final adjustment.

Also mute the other strings when possible. Sympathetic vibration from neighbouring strings can make some tuners jump between notes or produce an unstable reading.

Why Does My Guitar Keep Going Out of Tune?

If your guitar drifts out of tune quickly, the tuner itself is not necessarily the problem. Several parts of the instrument can affect tuning stability.

Common causes include:

• New strings that have not settled yet.
• Strings installed poorly around the tuning posts.
• Strings binding in the nut.
• A floating tremolo changing position.
• Old or damaged strings.
• Large changes in temperature or humidity.
• A guitar that needs a proper setup.

If the tuning repeatedly changes after bends or tremolo use, check whether the strings are moving smoothly through the nut and whether the bridge is returning to the same position.

New Guitar Strings Need Time to Settle

Fresh strings often go flat repeatedly during the first part of their life because the string is still settling around the tuning post, bridge and other contact points.

After installing new strings, tune the guitar, play for a while, retune it and repeat the process until the strings become more stable.

Do not try to solve unstable new strings by endlessly tightening them past the correct pitch. Tune accurately, play them in and recheck.

Temperature Can Change Your Guitar's Tuning

A guitar that was perfectly tuned at home may be noticeably different after travelling to a rehearsal or venue.

Temperature changes affect the strings and the instrument itself. If the guitar has been sitting in a cold car and is immediately brought into a warm room, give it some time to acclimatise before doing your final tuning.

The same applies before recording or performing. Tune after the instrument has had a chance to settle into the environment where you are going to use it.

Always Tune Before Recording, Rehearsing or Performing

Do not assume the guitar is still in tune because it was tuned yesterday—or even because it was tuned twenty minutes ago.

Tuning should become part of your normal playing routine:

• Tune before practising.
• Tune before recording.
• Tune before rehearsal.
• Tune before going on stage.
• Recheck during longer sessions when necessary.

Practising consistently on an out-of-tune instrument is particularly unhelpful because your ear is also learning while you play.

Tuning With a Capo

A capo changes string tension slightly when it clamps the strings against the frets. Depending on the guitar, capo and setup, this can pull some notes slightly sharp.

In most situations, tune the guitar accurately first and then place the capo carefully without using more pressure than necessary. Check the tuning again after the capo is installed.

For a more detailed explanation, see Should You Tune Your Guitar With or Without a Capo?.

Standard Tuning vs Alternate Tunings

Standard E tuning is the reference point for most guitar education, chord diagrams, scale patterns and general guitar material, but it is far from the only tuning used by guitarists.

Drop D, lower standard tunings, open tunings and extended-range guitar tunings all change one or more string pitches.

Use TuneMap when you want to compare different tunings and see exactly which notes and frequencies belong on each string.

What About 432 Hz Instead of 440 Hz?

Some musicians choose a reference pitch other than A4 = 440 Hz. For example, setting A4 to 432 Hz shifts every note slightly lower in frequency while keeping the same tuning relationships between the strings.

This is different from changing from standard tuning to Drop D or another alternate guitar tuning. The string names can remain E–A–D–G–B–E while the entire reference system moves slightly higher or lower.

If you want to compare those values directly, the Note / Freq calculator lets you compare note frequencies using different reference pitches.

A Simple Standard Tuning Routine

You do not need to turn tuning into a complicated procedure. A reliable routine is:

1. Let the guitar acclimatise if the temperature has changed significantly.
2. Set your tuner to A4 = 440 Hz.
3. Tune from low E to high E: E–A–D–G–B–E.
4. Approach each note carefully from below when practical.
5. Use a clear, moderate picking attack.
6. Check all six strings again.
7. Play a few chords and listen.
8. Recheck the tuning if anything sounds wrong.

Once this becomes automatic, tuning takes very little time and gives you a reliable starting point every time you play.

Standard E Tuning: Final Check

For a standard 6-string guitar, remember:

Low to high: E2 – A2 – D3 – G3 – B3 – E4

With the standard reference pitch:

A4 = 440 Hz

And if you need a tuner, tuning map or frequency reference, you can use PITCHR, TuneMap and Note / Freq.

For more guides about guitars, tuning, effects, setup and equipment, explore Gear, Tone & Setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is standard tuning on a guitar?

Standard tuning on a 6-string guitar is E–A–D–G–B–E from the lowest-pitched string to the highest-pitched string.

What frequency should a guitar tuner be set to?

For standard modern tuning, set the reference pitch to A4 = 440 Hz. The individual guitar strings are not all 440 Hz; 440 Hz is the reference used to determine the frequencies of the other notes.

What are the frequencies of the six guitar strings in standard tuning?

With A4 = 440 Hz, the open strings are approximately E2 = 82.41 Hz, A2 = 110.00 Hz, D3 = 146.83 Hz, G3 = 196.00 Hz, B3 = 246.94 Hz and E4 = 329.63 Hz.

What does A4 = 440 Hz mean?

It means that the note A4 is defined as 440 cycles per second and is used as the reference pitch from which the frequencies of other notes are calculated.

Should I tune a guitar from the lowest string to the highest?

You can tune the strings in different orders, but going from low E to high E is simple and easy to remember. After tuning all six strings, check them again because changes in string tension can slightly affect the other strings.

Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly?

Common causes include new or old strings, poor string installation, strings binding in the nut, tremolo movement, temperature changes or an instrument that needs a setup.

Should I tune my guitar before or after putting on a capo?

Tune the open guitar first, place the capo carefully and then check the tuning again. A capo can slightly alter string tension and may pull some notes sharp.

Can I tune a guitar to 432 Hz instead of 440 Hz?

Yes. Changing the reference from A4 = 440 Hz to A4 = 432 Hz shifts the pitch of the complete tuning slightly lower while the string note names can remain E–A–D–G–B–E.