Skip to content

C standard tuning

C standard tuning is C F B♭ E♭ G C, from the lowest string to the highest. Compared with standard: every string down two whole steps. Tap a string to hear it.

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

About C standard

C standard lowers every string two whole steps: C F B♭ E♭ G C. The shapes are standard’s and everything sounds two whole steps lower.

It is used for very heavy rock, doom and stoner metal, and on some baritone guitars.

C standard tuning notes

Each open string from the 1st, the thinnest, to the 6th, with the frequency a tuner looks for.

C standard tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
1stC4261.63 HzDown two whole steps from E
2ndG3196 HzDown two whole steps from B
3rdE♭3155.56 HzDown two whole steps from G
4thB♭2116.54 HzDown two whole steps from D
5thF287.31 HzDown two whole steps from A
6thC265.41 HzDown two whole steps from E

Every other note’s frequency is on the note frequency chart.

How to tune to C standard

Start in standard tuning and move only the strings that change, lowest first.

  1. Tune the 6th string down two whole steps, from E to C.
  2. Tune the 5th string down two whole steps, from A to F.
  3. Tune the 4th string down two whole steps, from D to B♭.
  4. Tune the 3rd string down two whole steps, from G to E♭.
  5. Tune the 2nd string down two whole steps, from B to G.
  6. Tune the 1st string down two whole steps, from E to C. It should match the open 6th string, two octaves higher.

To lower a string, go a little below its new note and come back up to it: a string tuned up to its note holds its pitch better.

To tune with your mic instead, in this tuning or another, use the guitar tuner.

Playing in C standard

Every shape works as in standard and sounds two whole steps down: the E shape is C, the A shape F, the G shape E♭.

The fretboard in C standard

The note on every fret in this tuning. Tap one to hear it, or light up one note or a scale on the neck.

Frets

Tap any fret to hear its note.

Six steps to learning every note on the neck are on the guitar fretboard page.

Questions about C standard

What are the notes of C standard tuning?

C F B♭ E♭ G C, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: C2 F2 B♭2 E♭3 G3 C4.

How do I tune my guitar to C standard tuning?

Start in standard tuning. Tune the 6th string down two whole steps, from E to C. Tune the 5th string down two whole steps, from A to F. Tune the 4th string down two whole steps, from D to B♭. Tune the 3rd string down two whole steps, from G to E♭. Tune the 2nd string down two whole steps, from B to G. Tune the 1st string down two whole steps, from E to C. It should match the open 6th string, two octaves higher. A tuner showing each note in the table makes it exact.

Do I need different strings for C standard tuning?

This low, standard strings feel loose and can buzz. A heavier set (11s or 12s, or a set sold for drop or baritone tunings) keeps them tight; the guitar may need its neck and intonation set up again.

More guitar tunings

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.

All 14, side by side with how far each string moves, are on the guitar tunings page.

Play along in C minor

Open the free editor with a beat in C minor playing, then add your guitar part, a bass line or your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Start a beatAll guitar tunings

Keep going