How to Tune Your Ukulele Online — Step by Step

Before you start: find a quiet room. Background noise is the most common reason a tuner gives unstable or jumping readings. Move away from TVs, open windows, fans, and other instruments.

Step 1 — Open and allow mic access Click Start and allow microphone permission when your browser asks. All audio is processed locally on your device — no audio is recorded or sent anywhere.

Step 2 — Select your tuning Standard GCEA (high-G) loads by default and is correct for most soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles. If you have a baritone ukulele, select DGBE. If you prefer Low-G tuning, select Low-G GCEA. See the tuning guide below if you’re not sure which to choose.

Step 3 — Tune one string at a time Start with the 3rd string (C string — the lowest pitched string in standard tuning) and work outward. Pluck it clearly and hold it for 2–3 seconds. Mute all other strings while you tune each one.

Step 4 — Read the needle

• Needle left of centre → string is flat (too low) → tighten the tuning peg
• Needle right of centre → string is sharp (too high) → loosen the tuning peg
• Needle centred and green → string is in tune → move to the next string

Step 5 — Make a second pass After tuning all 4 strings, go through them again. Ukulele strings — especially nylon strings — are sensitive to tension changes across the instrument. A second pass confirms stability.

Step 6 — Always tune up, not down When possible, approach the target pitch from below (from flat). This removes string slack at the nut and keeps the string more reliably in tune as you play. If you overshoot sharp, loosen past the note and approach from below again.

Ukulele String Order — Which String Is Which?

Ukulele strings are numbered differently from what guitar players might expect. The strings are numbered 4 to 1 from the string nearest your face (when holding the ukulele in playing position) to the string nearest the floor:

Notice something unusual: the 4th string (G4 at 392 Hz) is higher in pitch than the 3rd string (C4 at 261.63 Hz). This is called re-entrant tuning — the strings don’t go from lowest to highest as they do on a guitar. It’s what gives the ukulele its distinctive bright, cheerful sound. For the full science of how Hz values map to note names, see the frequency to note converter.

Ukulele Tunings — Complete Guide

Standard Tuning — GCEA (High-G)

Strings (4th to 1st): G4 — C4 — E4 — A4 Frequencies: 392 Hz — 261.63 Hz — 329.63 Hz — 440 Hz

Standard GCEA is the universal tuning for soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles. Virtually all ukulele lesson books, chord charts, tabs, and online resources are written for this tuning. If you’re a beginner, this is where you start and likely where you’ll stay. The C string (3rd string) is tuned to middle C — exactly the same note as middle C on a piano — which makes it easy to check your tuning against a keyboard if one is available.

Who uses it: Beginners and most players. All soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles.

Low-G Tuning — GCEA (Low-G)

Strings (4th to 1st): G3 — C4 — E4 — A4 Frequencies: 196 Hz — 261.63 Hz — 329.63 Hz — 440 Hz

Low-G tuning is identical to standard GCEA except the 4th string drops one full octave — from G4 (392 Hz) down to G3 (196 Hz). This converts the ukulele from re-entrant tuning to linear tuning, where strings run from lowest to highest like a guitar. The result: a fuller, warmer tone with an extra octave of range at the low end, which significantly expands what’s possible for fingerpicking, melody playing, and solo arrangements.

Important: Low-G requires physically swapping the 4th string for a thicker wound string or a specially made fluorocarbon low-G string. Standard GCEA strings will be too thin and too loose to hold G3 reliably. You cannot simply tune the standard G string down — it will produce a floppy, dead tone.

Who uses it: Fingerpickers, solo players, and anyone wanting a more guitar-like tonal range. Most common on tenor ukuleles.

Baritone Tuning — DGBE

Strings (4th to 1st): D3 — G3 — B3 — E4 Frequencies: 146.83 Hz — 196 Hz — 246.94 Hz — 329.63 Hz

Baritone ukuleles are tuned identically to the top four strings of a standard guitar (EADGBE — just the D, G, B, and e strings). This means every guitar chord shape you already know transfers directly to baritone ukulele with no modification. The baritone sounds much lower and mellower than a soprano or concert — less “ukulele-like” in the traditional sense, closer to a small guitar or parlour instrument.

Important: Baritone strings are physically larger and have higher tension than standard GCEA strings. Never put GCEA strings on a baritone or baritone strings on a soprano, concert, or tenor — string gauges must match the instrument scale length.

Who uses it: Guitar players transitioning to ukulele, players who want a lower, fuller sound, and ukulele players who want to access guitar chord resources directly.

D Tuning — ADF#B

Strings (4th to 1st): A4 — D4 — F#4 — B4 Frequencies: 440 Hz — 293.66 Hz — 369.99 Hz — 493.88 Hz

D tuning shifts all strings of standard GCEA up two semitones (one whole step). The result is a brighter, higher, slightly sweeter tone — the same re-entrant character as standard tuning but pitched higher. This was the original standard tuning for soprano ukulele in the early 20th century and is still preferred by some players for vintage repertoire and for getting extra brightness from smaller soprano and sopranino instruments.

Who uses it: Players of vintage ukulele music from the 1920s–1930s, sopranino players, and anyone who prefers a brighter tone. Less common today — most modern resources assume GCEA.

Slack Key Tuning — GCEG

Strings (4th to 1st): G4 — C4 — E4 — G4 Frequencies: 392 Hz — 261.63 Hz — 329.63 Hz — 392 Hz

Slack key tuning drops the 1st string from A4 down two semitones to G4, matching the 4th string. The open strings produce a C major chord (without the fifth, producing a Csus2 flavour). Common in Hawaiian slack key guitar tradition adapted for ukulele — the characteristic open sound works beautifully for fingerpicking and solo arrangements in C major.

Who uses it: Hawaiian music enthusiasts, fingerstyle players exploring open tunings.

Ukulele Sizes and Their Tunings

The soprano, concert, and tenor all use GCEA tuning and can share the same chord shapes, tabs, and learning resources. The baritone is the outlier — its DGBE tuning means baritone-specific resources are needed. If you’re a beginner, any soprano, concert, or tenor with standard GCEA strings will work with this tuner on its default setting.

The Re-Entrant Tuning Explained

The most confusing thing about ukulele tuning for new players — especially those coming from guitar — is that the strings don’t go from lowest to highest pitch as you move from the 4th to the 1st string.

On guitar: string 6 (low E) → string 5 (A) → string 4 (D) → string 3 (G) → string 2 (B) → string 1 (high e). Each string is higher than the previous — linear tuning.

On ukulele (GCEA standard): string 4 (G4 = 392 Hz) → string 3 (C4 = 261 Hz) → string 2 (E4 = 329 Hz) → string 1 (A4 = 440 Hz). The 4th string is higher than the 3rd — that’s the re-entrant jump.

This arrangement is what produces the ukulele’s characteristic bright, chiming sound when strummed. The high G on the 4th string creates unexpected melodic possibilities — melody lines that cross between strings in ways guitar can’t replicate in the same register. It also means a tuner might briefly suggest G3 instead of G4 when you pluck the 4th string — hold the note steady for 2–3 seconds and the reading will stabilise on G4.

Understanding the relationship between Hz values and note names makes tuning clearer — the frequency to note converter lets you check any Hz value against its musical note instantly.

Tuning Tips for Better Results

Acoustic ukulele Hold your device near the soundhole for the cleanest signal. The soundhole projects the fundamental frequencies most directly. Avoid holding the phone directly against the body, which can cause vibration interference.

New strings New ukulele strings — especially nylon and fluorocarbon strings — stretch significantly in the first few hours of playing. Tune, play for 5 minutes, retune. Repeat 3–4 times. After two or three sessions the strings will stabilise and hold pitch reliably. This is completely normal — not a sign of bad strings or a faulty instrument.

Tuning peg slippage Budget ukuleles often have friction tuning pegs (the simple wooden or plastic pegs that tighten and loosen by friction alone). These can slip, especially in humid conditions. If your ukulele goes out of tune within minutes of tuning, the tuning pegs need tightening (there’s usually a small screw in the centre of each peg) or upgrading to geared pegs.

Temperature and humidity Ukuleles — especially those with solid wood tops — are sensitive to humidity. In low-humidity environments (dry winter air, air-conditioned rooms), the wood contracts and pitch can drop. In high humidity, pitch can rise. Store your ukulele in a case with a humidifier pack if you’re in a very dry climate.

Using the chromatic tuner If you need to tune to a custom note not listed in the presets, or if you’re checking individual fretted-note intonation across the neck, use the chromatic tuner — it identifies any of the 12 chromatic notes across all octaves with no preset required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is standard ukulele tuning? Standard ukulele tuning is GCEA — from the 4th string (nearest your face when playing) to the 1st string (nearest the floor): G4 (392 Hz), C4 (261.63 Hz), E4 (329.63 Hz), A4 (440 Hz). The G string is higher in pitch than the C string — this is called re-entrant tuning and gives the ukulele its bright, characteristic sound.

How do I tune a ukulele online for free? Open this page, click Start, allow microphone access, and pluck one string at a time. The tuner shows whether each string is sharp, flat, or in tune. Standard GCEA tuning loads automatically. No download, no account, no cost — works on any device with a browser and microphone.

What is the difference between high-G and low-G ukulele tuning? Both are GCEA tuning. High-G (standard) tunes the 4th string to G4 (392 Hz) — above the C string, creating re-entrant tuning. Low-G tunes the 4th string down one octave to G3 (196 Hz) — below the C string, creating linear tuning like a guitar. Low-G gives a fuller, warmer sound with more bass range but requires a different, thicker 4th string.

How do I tune a baritone ukulele? Select DGBE from the tuning menu. Baritone ukulele is tuned D3–G3–B3–E4 — the same as the top four strings of a standard guitar. All guitar chord shapes transfer directly. Note that baritone strings are physically different from GCEA strings — never mix them.

Why does the tuner show the wrong note on the G string? The G string (4th string) in standard GCEA tuning is G4 (392 Hz). Some tuners briefly read G3 (196 Hz) — one octave lower — because the string’s overtones can confuse the detection algorithm momentarily. Hold the note steady for 2–3 seconds and the reading stabilises on G4. This is the re-entrant G string behaving normally — it’s not a tuning problem.

Does the tuner work on iPhone? Yes. Open in Safari on iPhone, allow microphone access, and tune immediately. For one-tap access, tap Share → Add to Home Screen. No App Store download required.

Does the tuner work on Android? Yes. Open in Chrome on Android, allow microphone access, and tune immediately. Add to Home Screen for a home screen shortcut.

How often should I tune my ukulele? Tune every time you pick it up. Ukulele strings — especially nylon and fluorocarbon — are more temperature and humidity sensitive than guitar strings and drift more quickly. Before any performance or recording session, always retune even if you tuned earlier the same day.

Can I use this tuner for any ukulele? Yes — soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles all tune accurately with this tool. Select the appropriate tuning preset for your instrument size. For non-standard setups or custom tunings, use the chromatic tuner which detects any note freely.

Is my audio recorded? No. All processing happens locally in your browser. No audio is uploaded, recorded, or stored anywhere. See the privacy policy for full details.

Related Tools

• Guitar Tuner — tune your guitar to standard EADGBE or alternate tunings
• Violin Tuner — tune your violin to GDAE with string-by-string guidance
• Chromatic Tuner — tune any instrument to any note with no presets required
• Instrument Tuner — multi-instrument tuner with presets for common instruments
• Note Finder — identify any musical note in real time from voice or instrument
• Frequency to Note Converter — convert any Hz value to its musical note name instantly
• Pitch Accuracy Checker — check how precisely you’re hitting fretted notes across the neck
• Guitar Tuning Guide — complete guide to standard and alternate tunings for string instruments
• What Are Cents in Music Tuning — how tuning deviation is measured in hundredths of a semitone
• A440 Tuning Standard Explained — why A4 = 440 Hz is the universal tuning reference