Online Ukulele Tuner
Acoustic pitch tracking for Hawaiian ukulele. Supports high-G re-entrant, linear low-G, and baritone tunings.
Standard target notes and reference frequencies for each string. Select a string to lock pitch detection.
How to Tune a Ukulele (Standard GCEA & Low G)
The ukulele is known for its joyful, bouncy tone. Tuning is straightforward once you understand how the four strings work. You can use your device's microphone above for live feedback, or tap each string button to tune by ear.
1. Step-by-Step Tuning Instructions
- Position your ukulele: Hold your uke securely against your chest with your right forearm, pointing the headstock slightly up.
- Pluck string 4 (Top string, High G): Strike the string gently with your thumb.
- Adjust the tuning peg: If the needle is to the left (flat), turn the peg to tighten the string. If it's to the right (sharp), loosen slightly below the note, then tighten up into the green center.
- Tune strings 3, 2, and 1: Repeat the process for string 3 (C), string 2 (E), and string 1 (A).
Unlike guitars where the top string is always the lowest bass note, standard ukuleles use re-entrant tuning (gCEA). The top 4th string (G4) is tuned higher than the 3rd string (C4). This keeps all four strings in a tight, vocal melodic range, creating that classic bright Hawaiian strum!
2. Standard Ukulele String Notes & Frequencies
Standard soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles use g - C - E - A tuning. Note that the 3rd string (C) is the lowest sounding pitch on the instrument.
| String # | Note Name | Standard Frequency | Relative Pitch |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 4 (Closest to your chin) | g4 (High G) | 392.00 Hz | High pitched chime |
| String 3 (Thickest) | C4 (Middle C) | 261.63 Hz | Lowest pitch on the uke |
| String 2 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | Major third above C |
| String 1 (Closest to your toes) | A4 | 440.00 Hz | Highest string |
3. Maintaining Nylon String Tension and Tuning Stability
- Expect stretching for the first few days: Nylon and fluorocarbon strings are elastic. New strings will drop flat every few minutes when first installed. Stretch them gently along their length and retune several times.
- Tighten slipping friction pegs: If your uke has friction pegs that slip, use a small screwdriver to tighten the center screw on the peg button by a 1/8th turn.
- Low-G option for fingerstyle: If you enjoy solo fingerpicking or want deeper bass notes, swap your high G string for a "Low G" set (G3 = 196.00 Hz), which gives a rich, guitar-like linear range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brand new nylon or fluorocarbon strings are very elastic and take a few days to settle. Whenever you tune, gently pull up on each string with your fingers, retune it, and repeat 2 or 3 times. After a few days of playing, they will hold their pitch reliably.
Standard soprano, concert, and tenor ukes use High-G (re-entrant tuning), where the 4th string is pitched higher than the middle strings for that signature bright Hawaiian chime. Low-G uses a wound string tuned an octave lower, giving a fuller, guitar-like bass tone.
Yes. A baritone ukulele is tuned D-G-B-E (the same as the highest four strings of a guitar). Select the Baritone preset from the dropdown menu to see the correct target notes.