Tuning your guitar means adjusting the tension of each string until it matches the correct pitch

A guitar has six strings, and each one should be tuned to a specific note. From the thickest string to the thinnest, those notes are E, A, D, G, B, and E. You can tune using a digital tuner (the fastest and most accurate way), by tuning by ear (using a reference note and your hearing), or by tuning to a piano or another instrument. Most beginners start with a tuner because it removes the guesswork.

How often you tune depends on how often you play and how much the temperature and humidity change where you keep your guitar. A guitar that sits in a warm room one day and a cold room the next will drift out of tune quickly. If you play daily, tune before each session. If you play once a week, tune at the start of that session.

Key Takeaways

  • A digital tuner clips onto your headstock or plugs into your guitar and shows you which string is sharp (too high) or flat (too low).
  • The standard tuning from thickest to thinnest string is E, A, D, G, B, E — memorize this order or write it on your headstock with tape.
  • Turn the tuning pegs (the knobs at the head of the guitar) clockwise to lower the pitch and counterclockwise to raise it, though this varies by guitar design.
  • Tune from the thickest string to the thinnest so you do not accidentally loosen a string you have already tuned.
  • If a string sounds very far from the correct note, loosen it first, then tighten it back up — this helps the string settle and stay in tune longer.

Using a digital tuner

A clip-on tuner is the easiest tool to start with. It costs between $10 and $30, clips onto the headstock of your guitar (the part at the top where the tuning pegs are), and reads the vibration of the strings. Turn it on, pluck the thickest string, and look at the display. Most tuners show a needle or a light that moves left or right — left means the string is flat (too low), right means it is sharp (too high), and center means it is in tune.

Adjust the tuning peg for that string until the needle centers or the light turns green. Then move to the next string. Work from thickest to thinnest. If a string is very far from the correct pitch (more than a half-step away), loosen it first by turning the tuning peg clockwise, then tighten it back up by turning counterclockwise. This helps the string settle into the correct pitch and stay there longer.

A plug-in tuner connects to your guitar's jack (if your guitar has one) and reads the signal directly. These are more accurate than clip-on tuners in noisy rooms, but they only work on electric guitars or acoustic guitars with a pickup installed. If you have an acoustic guitar without a pickup, a clip-on tuner is your best choice.

Understanding the tuning pegs and which direction to turn

The tuning pegs are the knobs at the head of your guitar. On most guitars, the three pegs on the left side of the headstock control the three thickest strings, and the three on the right control the three thinnest strings. However, some guitars have all six pegs on one side, and a few have them arranged differently — check your guitar's manual or look at the headstock to see which peg controls which string.

On most guitars, turning a tuning peg counterclockwise (away from you) raises the pitch, and turning it clockwise (toward you) lowers the pitch. But this is not universal — some guitars have the pegs reversed. The safest way to learn is to pluck a string, turn the peg slightly, and listen. If the pitch goes up, you know which direction raises it. If it goes down, you know which direction lowers it. Make small adjustments; a quarter-turn can change the pitch noticeably.

Tuning by ear using a reference note

If you do not have a tuner, you can tune by ear using a reference note — a sound you know is correct. You can get a reference note from a piano, a tuning fork, a smartphone app (search for "free online tuner" or "guitar tuner app"), or a video on YouTube that plays the six open strings. Play the reference note for the low E string, then pluck your low E string and adjust the tuning peg until the two sound the same.

Once the low E string is in tune, you can tune the rest of the strings relative to it using the fifth-fret method. Press the low E string down at the fifth fret (the fifth metal line on the neck) and pluck it. That note should match the open A string (the second string). Adjust the A string until it matches. Then press the A string at the fifth fret — that note should match the open D string. Continue this way for D to G, G to B, and B to the high E. The B to E step is different: press B at the fourth fret, not the fifth.

Tuning by ear takes practice and a good ear, so do not be discouraged if it takes several tries. Most players use a tuner for speed and accuracy, especially when learning.

What to do if a string keeps going flat

A string that falls out of tune quickly after you tune it usually means the string is old, the tuning peg is worn, or the string has not settled yet. New strings take time to stretch and hold their pitch — a brand-new set may need retuning every few minutes for the first hour or two of playing. This is normal.

If an old string keeps going flat, replace it. Guitar strings wear out and lose their ability to hold tension. A set of acoustic strings costs $5 to $15, and electric strings cost $3 to $10. If the tuning peg itself is loose or damaged, you may need to have it repaired or replaced by a technician — this is not a repair you should attempt yourself unless you have experience.

Checking your tuning during play

As you play, strings can drift slightly out of tune, especially if you bend them or play hard. Check your tuning every 10 to 15 minutes during a practice session. You do not need to tune every string each time — just pluck the open strings and listen for any that sound off, then retune only those.

If you notice that one string consistently goes flat faster than the others, that string or its tuning peg may have an issue. Mark it mentally and mention it to a guitar technician the next time you have your guitar serviced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I turn the tuning peg and the string gets tighter instead of looser?

You are turning it the wrong direction for your guitar. Stop, turn the peg the opposite way, and listen. Every guitar is different. Once you figure out which direction raises and lowers the pitch on your guitar, you will not forget it.

Can I tune a guitar that is very out of tune?

Yes. If a string is very far from the correct pitch, loosen it first (turn the peg to lower the pitch), then tighten it back up to the correct note. This helps the string settle. If a string is so loose it sounds like a rubber band, tighten it slowly and check the tuner frequently so you do not overtighten and break it.

Do I need to tune before every time I play?

Most players tune at the start of each practice session. If you play for more than 30 minutes, check the tuning halfway through. Guitars that sit in changing temperatures or humidity drift faster, so you may need to tune more often in those conditions.

Is a clip-on tuner accurate enough for a beginner?

Yes. A clip-on tuner is accurate to within a few cents (a cent is 1/100th of a semitone), which is more than precise enough for learning. As you improve, you may want a plug-in tuner for electric guitar or a tuner app, but a clip-on tuner will serve you well for years.

What if my guitar has a capo on it?

Remove the capo before tuning. A capo changes the pitch of the strings, so you cannot tune accurately with one on. Tune with the capo off, then put it back on if you need it for a song.