Online Banjo Tuner

Acoustic pitch tracking for 5-string banjo. Accurately tunes the high 5th thumb drone string and long neck strings.

Microphone Standby
Detected Frequency -- Hz
Tuning Status Ready
Target String -- Hz
Cents Deviation -- cents
5-String Anatomy & Reference Tones

Standard target notes and reference frequencies for each string. Select a string to lock pitch detection.

How to Tune a 5-String Banjo

The 5-string banjo has a unique sound largely thanks to its short 5th string (the thumb drone string). In standard Open G tuning (gDGBD), strumming all the open strings produces a cheerful, resonant G major chord.

Tuning the Short 5th Drone String

The 5th string is anchored halfway up the neck at the 5th fret. It is tuned to a high g4 (392.00 Hz), which is higher in pitch than strings 4, 3, and 2.

  1. Tune the 4 long strings first: String 4 (D), String 3 (G), String 2 (B), and String 1 (D).
  2. Pluck the short 5th string: its pitch should match the same high G sound as the 1st string fretted at the 5th fret.
  3. Turn the side peg carefully — because the 5th string is short, small turns change pitch rapidly.
Pro Tip: Why Your Banjo Head Tension Affects Tuning

Unlike guitars with wooden tops, a banjo bridge sits on a stretched drum head. If the head is too loose, the bridge will sink under string pressure, making the strings buzz against the frets. Keep the head evenly tensioned until tapping it sounds crisp and bright (around a G# or A tap tone).

Standard 5-String Banjo Notes (Open G)

String # Peg Position Note Name Frequency Light Gauge
5th String (Short drone) 5th Fret Neck Peg g4 (High G) 392.00 Hz .009 in
4th String (Thickest bass) Headstock Peg D3 146.83 Hz .020 in (Wound)
3rd String Headstock Peg G3 196.00 Hz .013 in
2nd String Headstock Peg B3 246.94 Hz .011 in
1st String Headstock Peg D4 293.66 Hz .009 in

Popular Banjo Tunings (Open G vs Double C)

  • Standard Open G (gDGBD): The standard for Earl Scruggs 3-finger bluegrass picking. Strumming open is already a G major chord.
  • Double C (gCGCD): The favorite of clawhammer and old-time folk players. Drop the 4th string to C and raise the 2nd string to C. This gives an open, ringing modal sound for fiddle tunes.
  • Angle the bridge slightly for better intonation: Because the wound 4th string is thicker than the 1st string, angle the wooden bridge feet so the 4th-string side sits about 1/16th inch farther back toward the tailpiece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the short 5th string tuned higher than the others?

The short 5th string (high G) starts at the 5th fret and acts as a dedicated rhythmic drone. You rarely fret it; instead, your picking thumb strikes it on off-beats to create the lively bouncing rhythm characteristic of bluegrass and clawhammer banjo.

Why does the tuner pick up two notes at once when I pluck a banjo string?

A banjo's tight drum head acts as a resonator, causing all the other open strings to vibrate whenever you pluck one. Rest your palm across the unused strings to mute them while you tune each individual note.

How do I make sure my banjo bridge is in the right spot?

Banjo bridges sit loose on the head and are held down only by string tension. If the bridge shifts forward or backward, notes fretted higher up will sound sour. Make sure the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge matches the distance from the nut to the 12th fret.