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: E, A, D, G, B, and E (from thickest to thinnest). When a string is too loose, it sounds flat—lower than it should. When it's too tight, it sounds sharp—higher than it should. You adjust the tuning pegs (the knobs at the headstock) to tighten or loosen each string until the pitch is correct. Most players tune before every practice session or performance, because strings drift out of tune from temperature changes, humidity, and the wear of playing.
You can tune by ear if you have a reference pitch, or you can use a tuner—a small device or phone app that listens to each string and tells you whether it's sharp, flat, or in tune. A tuner is faster and more accurate, especially when you're starting out.
Key Takeaways
- The standard tuning from thickest to thinnest string is E, A, D, G, B, E—you can remember this with the phrase "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie."
- A digital tuner or tuner app is the most reliable way to tune, and both cost very little or nothing.
- Turn the tuning pegs slowly and listen or watch the tuner display until each string matches its target pitch.
- Tune from the thickest string to the thinnest, and check all strings a second time because tightening one string can shift the others slightly.
- If a string is very far out of tune, it may have broken or slipped—check the bridge and nut before assuming the tuning peg is the problem.
Using a digital tuner
A digital tuner is a small handheld device with a display screen. You pluck each string one at a time, and the tuner shows you the note it's playing and whether it's sharp (too high), flat (too low), or in tune. Most tuners have a needle or colored lights that move as you adjust the tuning peg. When the needle centers or the light turns green, the string is in tune.
Clip-on tuners attach to the headstock of your guitar and sense vibrations directly from the wood, so they work even in noisy rooms. Pedal tuners sit on the floor and you plug your guitar cable into them—these are common in live performance but less necessary for home practice. Phone apps like GuitarTuna or Pano Tuner use your phone's microphone and are free or very cheap; they work well in quiet rooms.
To use a tuner: pluck the thickest string (the low E string) and watch the display. If the tuner shows the note is flat, turn the tuning peg to tighten the string (usually turning the peg away from you, but this varies by guitar model—turn slowly and listen). If the note is sharp, loosen the string by turning the peg the opposite direction. Stop when the display shows the string is in tune, then move to the next string. Repeat for all six strings, then go back and check the first string again—tightening the other strings can shift the tension on the neck slightly and pull the first string out of tune.
Tuning by ear using a reference pitch
If you don't have a tuner, you can tune by ear if you have a reference pitch—a note you know is correct. A piano, another guitar that's already in tune, a tuning fork, or an online tone generator can all serve as reference. This method takes practice and a trained ear, so it's slower than using a tuner, but it's useful to learn.
Start with the low E string. Play the reference E note (usually the open E string on another guitar, or the E key on a piano), then pluck your low E string. Listen carefully to both pitches. If your string sounds lower (flatter) than the reference, turn the tuning peg to tighten it. If it sounds higher (sharper), loosen it. Adjust slowly and listen after each small turn. When the two pitches sound the same, that string is in tune.
Once the low E string is in tune, you can tune the other strings relative to it without a reference. Fret the low E string at the fifth fret—this produces an A note. Pluck that fretted note and the open A string together, and adjust the A string until it matches. Then fret the A string at the fifth fret to get a D note, and tune the open D string to match. Continue this way: D string fifth fret = G note, G string fourth fret = B note, B string fifth fret = high E note. This method is called relative tuning.
Understanding the tuning pegs and which direction to turn
The tuning pegs are located on the headstock at the top of the 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 in a line, and a few have them arranged differently—check your guitar's manual or look at the headstock to see which peg controls which string.
Turning a peg clockwise or counterclockwise tightens or loosens the string, but the direction depends on which side of the headstock the peg is on. On the left side, turning the peg away from you (counterclockwise) usually tightens the string. On the right side, turning the peg toward you (clockwise) usually tightens the string. The safest approach is to turn slowly and listen: if the pitch gets higher, you're tightening; if it gets lower, you're loosening. Once you know which direction raises the pitch, you can adjust confidently.
Turn the pegs slowly and deliberately. Sudden, large turns can snap a string or pull the neck out of alignment. If a string is very far out of tune, loosen it first, then tighten it gradually to the correct pitch—this is gentler on the string and the guitar.
What to do if a string won't stay in tune
A string that goes out of tune quickly after you tune it usually has one of three causes: the string is old and worn, the tuning peg is slipping, or the string has slipped at the bridge or nut.
Old strings lose their elasticity and don't hold pitch well. If you haven't changed your strings in several months, or if they look dull and discolored, replace them. New strings also take time to settle—they may go out of tune several times in the first hour of playing, which is normal. Stretch them gently by pulling each string away from the fretboard, then retune.
If the tuning peg is slipping, the string will go flat even though you tightened it. Check that the peg is turned all the way in the direction that tightens the string—sometimes the peg can slip backward if it's not fully engaged. If it keeps slipping, the peg may be worn and need replacement, or the string may not be wound correctly around the peg post. Make sure the string is wrapped neatly around the post with no overlaps, and that it's wound tightly enough that it doesn't slip when you pull on it gently.
If the string slipped at the bridge (the piece at the bottom of the guitar where the strings attach), you'll see the string has moved or come loose. Loosen the string, reposition it at the bridge, and retighten. If it slipped at the nut (the piece at the top of the neck where the strings sit), the string may have popped out of its groove—this is less common and usually requires a professional repair.
Checking your tuning during play
Even after you tune, strings drift as you play. The friction of your fingers on the strings, bending notes, and changes in room temperature all cause pitch to shift. Many players keep a tuner nearby and check their tuning every few minutes during practice, or before each song during a performance.
If you notice a string sounds off but you're not sure which one, pluck each string individually and listen. If you have a tuner, use it to confirm. If you're tuning by ear, compare each string to a reference pitch or use relative tuning to find the problem string, then adjust it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between sharp and flat?
Sharp means the pitch is too high—the string is too tight. Flat means the pitch is too low—the string is too loose. A tuner will show you which direction to turn the peg to fix it.
Do I need to tune every time I play?
Yes, most players tune before every practice session or performance. Strings drift out of tune from playing, temperature changes, and humidity. Even a few minutes of playing can shift the pitch slightly, so checking tuning before you start is a good habit.
Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly?
New strings take time to settle and may go out of tune several times in the first hour—this is normal. Old strings that are worn or damaged won't hold pitch well. Check that your tuning pegs aren't slipping and that the strings are wound correctly around the peg posts. If the problem persists, the strings may need replacement.
Can I tune a guitar with a broken string?
You can tune the other five strings, but you'll need to replace the broken string before you can tune that one. A broken string usually snaps near the bridge or at a fret, and you can't repair it—replacement is the only option.
Is tuning by ear better than using a tuner?
A tuner is faster and more accurate, especially when you're learning. Tuning by ear is a useful skill to develop because it trains your ear and works when you don't have a tuner nearby, but it takes practice and a quiet environment. Most players use a tuner for everyday practice and learn to tune by ear as a backup skill.