How do you tune a guitar correctly?

QUICK ANSWER

Use a clip-on tuner or tuning app — turn the tuning pegs until each string reads in tune (E-A-D-G-B-E from low to high). Retune after every playing session.

Full Answer

A guitar that is out of tune will sound wrong no matter how well you play. Tuning should be the first thing you do every time you pick up the instrument.

Standard guitar tuning from the thickest string (6th) to the thinnest (1st) is E-A-D-G-B-E. A useful mnemonic: Eat All Day Get Big Easy.

The easiest method is a clip-on chromatic tuner — a small device that clips onto the headstock and detects vibrations. Pluck each string one at a time, watch the display, and turn the tuning peg until the needle centres and the note name matches. Turn the peg slowly — small movements make a big difference.

Alternatively, use a free tuning app (GuitarTuna, Fender Tune) on your phone. These use the microphone to detect pitch. Less accurate in noisy environments but good for practice.

If you learn to tune by ear, the 5th fret method works: play the 6th string's 5th fret — it should match the open 5th string (A). The 5th string's 5th fret should match open 4th string (D), and so on — except the 3rd string's 4th fret matches the open 2nd string (B, not 5th fret).

New strings go out of tune quickly for the first few days. Stretch them by pulling each string gently upward and retuning several times when you first put them on.

Key Facts

Standard guitar tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E (thickest to thinnest string)
Clip-on chromatic tuners are the most accurate and reliable method
New strings go out of tune frequently until they are stretched and settled (3–5 days)
Temperature and humidity changes cause guitars to go out of tune between sessions
The 5th fret method allows tuning by ear if no tuner is available
Always tune up to pitch — if you go too high, come back down and approach from below
Electric guitars may also need intonation adjustment — a tuner at the 12th fret checks this

Step-by-Step

Get a tuner or app. A clip-on chromatic tuner (£5–£15) is the most reliable. Alternatives: GuitarTuna or Fender Tune apps, or an online tuner.
Identify the six strings. Thickest string = 6th string = low E. Moving toward the thinnest: A (5th), D (4th), G (3rd), B (2nd), high E (1st).
Pluck the first string and read the tuner. Pluck the 6th (low E) string cleanly. Let it ring. The tuner display shows the closest note and whether you are sharp (too high) or flat (too low).
Turn the tuning peg slowly. Tighten (turn clockwise on most guitars) to raise pitch if flat. Loosen to lower pitch if sharp. Small turns make a big difference — go slowly.
Tune each string in order. Tune E-A-D-G-B-E in sequence. After tuning all six, go back to the beginning — changing string tension slightly affects the others.
Check and retune until stable. Pluck through all six strings again. Guitars often need 2–3 passes, especially with new strings. You are done when all strings hold their note.

Learning to tune by ear and understand intonation is part of what guitar teachers on Virgoul teach from the first lesson — because a guitarist who can hear when they are in tune develops faster and sounds better, even in practice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is standard guitar tuning?

Standard tuning from the thickest (lowest-pitched) to thinnest (highest-pitched) string is E-A-D-G-B-E. Many guitarists use the mnemonic 'Eat All Day Get Big Easy' to remember the order.

What is the best guitar tuner app?

GuitarTuna and Fender Tune are the most popular free tuner apps and work well in quiet environments. For the most accurate tuning, a clip-on chromatic tuner is better because it reads string vibration directly rather than using a microphone, making it less affected by background noise.

Why does my guitar go out of tune so fast?

New strings stretch and go flat quickly until they settle — this takes 3–5 days of regular playing. Other causes: worn tuning pegs, temperature and humidity changes, playing style (aggressive strumming or bending), and bridge or nut issues. Stretching new strings when you first install them helps them settle faster.

How do you tune a guitar without a tuner?

The 5th fret method: the note at the 5th fret of each string should match the open string above it (6th fret 5th = open A, 5th fret 5th = open D, 4th fret 4th = open G, 4th fret 3rd = open B, 5th fret 2nd = open high E). You need at least one string in tune to start — often the low E tuned to a reference pitch.

What is alternative tuning on guitar?

Alternative tunings change one or more strings from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. Common alternatives include Drop D (low E tuned to D, used in rock and metal), Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D, used in blues and slide guitar), and DADGAD (used in Celtic and folk music). Each tuning gives different chord shapes and sounds.