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Guitar tunings

Fourteen tunings, from standard to drop A. Pick one and tap a string to hear the note to tune it to, or strum all six.

Tap a string to hear its note, then tune yours to match.

Standard and tuned down

Every string moves by the same amount, so every chord shape stays the same and sounds lower.

Standard tuning

E A D G B E

The tuning every other one is measured from.

Half step down tuning

E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭

Every string down a half step.

D standard tuning

D G C F A D

Every string down a whole step.

C standard tuning

C F B♭ E♭ G C

Every string down two whole steps.

Drop tunings

The 6th string sits a whole step below the next one down, so the three lowest strings play a power chord under one finger.

Drop D tuning

D A D G B E

6th string down a whole step.

Drop C tuning

C G C F A D

6th string down two whole steps; the other 5 down a whole step.

Drop B tuning

B F♯ B E G♯ C♯

6th string down two and a half steps; the other 5 down a step and a half.

Drop A tuning

A E A D F♯ B

6th string down three and a half steps; the other 5 down two and a half steps.

Open tunings

The open strings ring a chord, so one finger across every string, or a slide, plays a chord at any fret.

Open D tuning

D A D F♯ A D

Rings D major. 6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step; 3rd string down a half step.

Open G tuning

D G D G B D

Rings G major. 6th, 5th and 1st strings down a whole step.

Open E tuning

E B E G♯ B E

Rings E major. 5th and 4th strings up a whole step; 3rd string up a half step.

Open C tuning

C G C G C E

Rings C major. 6th string down two whole steps; 5th and 4th strings down a whole step; 2nd string up a half step.

Open A tuning

E A E A C♯ E

Rings A major. 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings up a whole step.

DADGAD tuning

D A D G A D

Rings D sus4. 6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step.

Every tuning, string by string

Each tuning’s notes from the lowest string, and how far each string moves from standard.

Tunings, lowest string first
TuningNotesFrom standard
StandardE A D G B EStandard
Drop DD A D G B E6th string down a whole step
Half step downE♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭Every string down a half step
D standardD G C F A DEvery string down a whole step
Drop CC G C F A D6th string down two whole steps; the other 5 down a whole step
C standardC F B♭ E♭ G CEvery string down two whole steps
Drop BB F♯ B E G♯ C♯6th string down two and a half steps; the other 5 down a step and a half
Drop AA E A D F♯ B6th string down three and a half steps; the other 5 down two and a half steps
Open DD A D F♯ A D6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step; 3rd string down a half step
Open GD G D G B D6th, 5th and 1st strings down a whole step
Open EE B E G♯ B E5th and 4th strings up a whole step; 3rd string up a half step
Open CC G C G C E6th string down two whole steps; 5th and 4th strings down a whole step; 2nd string up a half step
Open AE A E A C♯ E4th, 3rd and 2nd strings up a whole step
DADGADD A D G A D6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step

The note on every fret in each of these tunings is on the guitar fretboard.

Questions about guitar tunings

What is the most common guitar tuning?

Standard tuning, E A D G B E from the lowest string. Most songs, lessons and chord charts assume it. Drop D and half step down are the next most common.

What is the difference between a drop tuning and an open tuning?

A drop tuning lowers the 6th string so the three lowest strings play a power chord under one finger; the rest of the guitar stays close to standard. An open tuning sets every open string to the notes of one chord, so strumming without fretting plays it.

Which guitar tunings are used for metal?

Drop D, D standard, drop C, C standard, drop B and drop A, each lower and heavier than the last. The drop tunings make fast power-chord riffs easy; the lower ones darken every chord.

Which tunings are used for slide guitar?

Open G, open D and open E above all, and open A and open C. With every open string in one chord, a slide laid across the strings plays that chord at any fret.

Do I need new strings to tune lower?

Down to D standard, most players keep their strings. Lower than that, in drop C, C standard, drop B, drop A or open C, standard strings feel loose and can buzz; a heavier set and a setup keep them in tune.

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Undo the same steps: tune each string that moved back to E A D G B E. Tap a string on the standard tuning page to hear the note it should reach.

Ukulele, bass, banjo, mandolin, violin and cello tunings are on the instrument tunings page.

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