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Ukulele tuning

Standard ukulele tuning is G C E A, from the 4th string, nearest your chin, to the 1st: G4 C4 E4 A4. The G is tuned above the C beside it, so the strings do not run from low to high. Tap a string to hear it.

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

How the ukulele is tuned

Soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles are all tuned G C E A. Because the 4th string’s G sits above the 3rd string’s C, the lowest note is the C, middle C, and chords ring close together and bright. Tuning that doubles back like this is called re-entrant.

The four strings are a guitar’s top four, D G B E, five frets higher. So a ukulele shape is the guitar shape a fourth up: the ukulele’s C chord, one finger on the 1st string’s 3rd fret, is the fingering of a G on a guitar’s top four strings.

Ukulele string notes

Each open string in standard tuning, from the 1st to the 4th, with the frequency a tuner looks for.

Ukulele tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequency
1stA4440 Hz
2ndE4329.63 Hz
3rdC4261.63 Hz
4thG4392 Hz

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

How to tune a ukulele by ear

Tune one string to a tuner or its button above, and the others follow from it.

  1. Tune the 3rd string to C4, middle C (261.63 Hz), against a tuner or the 3rd string’s button above.
  2. Play the 3rd string at the 4th fret, E, and tune the open 2nd string to match it.
  3. Play the 2nd string at the 5th fret, A, and tune the open 1st string to match it.
  4. Play the 2nd string at the 3rd fret, G, and tune the open 4th string to match it. With a low G string, tune it an octave below that.

A string tuned up to its note holds its pitch better, so to lower one, go a little below the note and come back up to it.

To tune with your mic instead, use the ukulele tuner.

Ukulele tunings

Each tuning’s notes in string order, and when it is used. Pick one above to hear its strings.

Ukulele tunings: the notes of each, in string order, and when it is used
TuningNotesUsed for
StandardG C E ASoprano, concert and tenor ukuleles, with the G tuned high.
Low GG C E AThe G an octave down on a thicker string, for a fuller low end.
BaritoneD G B EThe baritone ukulele: the same notes as a guitar’s top four strings.
D tuningA D F♯ BEvery string a whole step up: an older, brighter soprano tuning.

Questions about ukulele tuning

What are the notes of the ukulele strings?

G C E A, from the 4th string to the 1st: G4 C4 E4 A4. Sing them to “My Dog Has Fleas”: one word to each string, from the 4th to the 1st.

Why is the ukulele’s G string higher than the C?

It is tuned high on purpose: re-entrant tuning keeps every string within one octave, from middle C to the A above it, which gives the ukulele its bright, close chords.

What is low G ukulele tuning?

The same G C E A with the 4th string an octave lower, G3, on a thicker string. The strings then run low to high and chords sound fuller; the fingering does not change.

How is a baritone ukulele tuned?

D G B E, from the 4th string to the 1st: D3 G3 B3 E4, the same as a guitar’s top four strings. Its chord shapes are guitar shapes.

Is a ukulele tuned like a guitar?

Like a guitar’s top four strings with a capo at the 5th fret. The intervals between the strings are the same, so shapes carry over and sound a fourth higher.

More instrument tunings

Guitar tuning

E A D G B E

Standard, drop D, open G, DADGAD and ten more, each to hear.

Bass guitar tuning

E A D G

4-string, 5-string, 6-string and drop D, from the low B up.

Banjo tuning

G D G B D

Open G for bluegrass, then double C, open D, G modal and tenor.

Mandolin tuning

G D A E

G D A E in four pairs, like a violin, plus mandola and octave.

Violin tuning

G D A E

Four strings in fifths from the A at 440 Hz, plus cross tunings.

Viola tuning

C G D A

A violin’s G, D and A with a low C in place of the E.

Cello tuning

C G D A

The viola’s four notes an octave lower, down to C2 at 65 Hz.

Every instrument’s standard tuning, side by side, is on the tunings page.

Play along in C major

Open the free editor with a beat in C major playing, tune up and play your ukulele along with it, then add a melody or your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Start a beatAll tunings

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