A snapped string means you need to remove the broken piece and thread a new one through

When a guitar string breaks, the fix is straightforward: remove what's left of the old string and install a new one in its place. The process takes about five to ten minutes once you have a replacement string on hand. You'll need wire cutters (or scissors in a pinch), the new string, and access to the tuning pegs at the headstock.

The string will snap at some point along its length—usually near a fret or the bridge—leaving two pieces. Both pieces need to come out before you can thread the new string through. The broken end at the tuning peg will still be wound around the post; the other end will be loose at the bridge or bridge pin.

Key Takeaways

  • Remove both pieces of the broken string: unwind the tuning peg to release the piece at the headstock, and pull the other piece out from the bridge or bridge pin.
  • Thread the new string through the bridge (or under the bridge pin on acoustic guitars) first, then up to the tuning peg on the headstock.
  • Wind the string around the tuning post so it wraps downward and inward, keeping tension even so the string doesn't slip.
  • Tune the string up to pitch gradually, then stretch it gently by hand to help it settle and hold tune faster.
  • A new string will go flat quickly for the first few hours; retune it several times before playing a performance or recording.

Remove the broken string from the tuning peg

Start at the headstock. Locate the tuning peg (also called a tuning machine or tuning key) that controls the string you're replacing. Turn the peg counterclockwise to loosen the tension. As you turn, the string will unwind from the post. Keep turning until the string is completely slack and you can pull the broken end free from the post.

Don't force it—the string should slide out easily once it's unwound. If the string is kinked or stuck, wiggle it gently as you unwind. Once the piece at the tuning peg is out, set it aside or discard it.

Remove the broken string from the bridge

On an acoustic guitar, the string is held in place by a bridge pin—a small wooden or plastic peg that sits in a hole at the bridge. Pull the bridge pin straight up and out. The broken string will come loose. Pull the remaining piece of string out through the bridge hole.

On an electric guitar, the string typically goes through a hole in the bridge or bridge block. straightforward pull the broken piece out from that hole. Some electric guitars have a bridge where strings sit on top rather than through; in that case, just lift the broken string away.

Thread the new string through the bridge

Take your new string and insert the end with the ball (a small metal sphere) into the bridge hole first. On an acoustic, push it through until the ball sits inside the bridge, then replace the bridge pin, pushing it down firmly until it's flush with the bridge. The pin holds the string in place.

On an electric guitar, thread the string through the bridge hole or lay it in the bridge slot, depending on your guitar's design. Pull the string up toward the headstock with moderate tension so it doesn't slip back out.

Wind the string onto the tuning peg

Pull the string up to the tuning peg that corresponds to that string. Insert the end of the string through the hole in the tuning post. Leave about two to three inches of slack—enough to wrap around the post two or three times without the string running out of room.

Turn the tuning peg so the string wraps around the post. The wraps should go downward and inward toward the center of the headstock, not upward or outward. This direction keeps the string from slipping and helps it stay in tune. Keep light tension on the string with your other hand as you wind so the wraps stay neat and don't overlap.

Wind until the string is snug but not yet at full pitch. You should hear it tighten as you turn the peg, but it won't be in tune yet.

Tune the string to pitch and let it settle

Use a tuner (a clip-on tuner, phone app, or your ear if you're experienced) to bring the string up to its correct pitch. Turn the tuning peg slowly so you don't overshoot. New strings are stretchy and will go flat quickly, so don't be surprised if it drops a half-step or more in the first hour.

Once the string is at pitch, gently pull it away from the fretboard with your hand to stretch it. Pull steadily but not hard—you're not trying to break it. This helps the string settle faster and hold its tuning longer. Retune it, stretch it again, and repeat this cycle two or three times.

The string will continue to go flat over the next few hours as the metal fibers adjust to the tension. Retune it before you play anything important, and again after a few minutes of playing. After a day or two, it will stabilize and hold tune much better.

Why strings break and how to prevent it

Strings break because metal fatigues under constant tension and bending. The most common break point is near a fret, where the string is bent sharply every time you play. Strings also break at the bridge or tuning peg if they're wound too tightly or if there's a sharp edge catching them.

You can extend string life by keeping your frets smooth and free of burrs, making sure bridge pins and tuning pegs are not damaged, and avoiding extreme tuning changes. Winding strings neatly on the tuning post also helps—loose, overlapping wraps create stress points. Strings also weaken over time straightforward from playing, so even well-maintained strings will eventually snap.

Most players replace strings one at a time as they break, rather than all at once. If you break strings frequently, it may signal a sharp edge on a fret or bridge that needs attention from a repair technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reuse the broken string?

No. Once a string breaks, the metal is damaged at the break point and will snap again quickly under tension. Always use a new string. Broken strings are inexpensive enough that reusing them isn't worth the risk of another break mid-performance.

What if I don't have a tuner?

You can tune by ear if you know what the string should sound like, or you can match it to another string on the guitar that's still in tune. Pluck the string next to the one you're replacing and adjust your new string until it sounds the same pitch. This works best if the other strings are still in tune.

How tight should I wind the string around the tuning post?

Wind it snugly but not so tight that you can't turn the peg smoothly. The string should wrap around the post two to three times. If you wind too loosely, the string will slip and won't hold pitch. If you wind too tightly, you risk breaking the string or damaging the tuning peg.

Do I need to replace all my strings at once?

No. You can replace strings one at a time as they break. Many players do this because it's cheaper and faster than replacing a full set. However, if most of your strings are old and dull-sounding, replacing the whole set at once will give you a brighter tone and more consistent tuning stability across all strings.

Why does my new string keep going flat?

New strings are made of metal that stretches under tension. This stretching is normal and happens most in the first few hours. Stretch the string by hand several times and retune it repeatedly. After a day or two, the metal will stabilize and the string will hold pitch much better. If an old string goes flat quickly, it may be worn out and ready to replace.