The Standard Guitar Tuning and How to Tune Each String

Standard tuning uses six notes in a specific order

A guitar in standard tuning has its six strings tuned to the notes E, A, D, G, B, and E, from the thickest string (the low E) to the thinnest string (the high E). The thickest string is string 6, and the thinnest is string 1. This tuning is the default for nearly all guitar music you will encounter—rock, pop, folk, country, and classical.

The reason this tuning is standard is practical: it spaces the notes so that common chord shapes work across multiple strings at once, and it balances the tension on the neck. Once you learn chord shapes in standard tuning, you can play thousands of songs without retuning.

If you are starting out, standard tuning is what you should use. Other tunings exist (drop D, open G, DADGAD), but they are variations for specific sounds or songs. Standard tuning is where you begin.

Key Takeaways

• Standard tuning from thickest to thinnest string is E–A–D–G–B–E, and this is the tuning used for the vast majority of guitar music.
• The thickest string (string 6) is tuned to low E, and the thinnest string (string 1) is tuned to high E—they are the same note but in different octaves.
• A digital tuner, tuning app, or reference pitch source (like a piano or tuning fork) is the fastest and most accurate way to tune each string.
• Tuning by ear using the fret method takes practice but works once you can hear the intervals between strings.

How to tune using a digital tuner

A digital tuner is the most reliable method for beginners. Clip-on tuners (which attach to the headstock) are inexpensive and work in noisy rooms. Plug-in tuners work for electric guitars. Tuning apps on your phone also work if you hold the phone near the strings.

Turn on the tuner and pluck string 6 (the thickest string). The tuner will show you which note it is currently at and whether it is sharp (too high) or flat (too low). Turn the tuning peg for string 6 until the tuner shows E and the needle is centered. Then move to string 5 and tune it to A, string 4 to D, string 3 to G, string 2 to B, and string 1 to E.

Turn the tuning peg slowly. If you turn too fast, you will overshoot the note. Tighten the peg to raise the pitch (make the note higher) and loosen it to lower the pitch (make the note lower). The direction varies by guitar—on most guitars, turning the peg away from you raises the pitch on the lower strings and lowers it on the higher strings, but check your specific guitar.

Tuning by ear using the fret method

Once you are comfortable with your guitar, you can tune by ear without a tuner. This method uses the relationship between strings. Start with one string you know is in tune—either from a tuner, a reference note, or a piano. Most people start by tuning string 6 (low E) to a reference source.

Once string 6 is tuned to E, hold down string 6 at the 5th fret. This note is A. Pluck the fretted string 6 and then pluck open string 5. Adjust string 5 until it sounds the same as the fretted string 6. Now string 5 is tuned to A.

Repeat this process: hold string 5 at the 5th fret (this is D), tune string 4 to match it. Hold string 4 at the 5th fret (this is G), tune string 3 to match it. Hold string 3 at the 4th fret (this is B—note it is the 4th fret, not the 5th), tune string 2 to match it. Hold string 2 at the 5th fret (this is E), tune string 1 to match it.

This method trains your ear to hear when two notes match. It is slower than a tuner but becomes faster with practice, and it works anywhere without a device.

Using a reference pitch or tuning fork

If you have a reference pitch—from a piano, a tuning fork, a pitch pipe, or a tuning app that plays notes—you can tune string 6 to low E first, then use the fret method for the rest. A tuning fork for low E or a pitch pipe designed for guitar both work well.

Play the reference note and adjust string 6 until it matches. Once string 6 is correct, the fret method will get the other strings in tune relative to it. This approach combines the accuracy of a reference source with the speed of the fret method.

Common tuning mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is turning the tuning peg too far and overshooting the note. Turn slowly and stop as soon as the tuner centers or your ear hears a match. If you overshoot, back up slightly rather than turning all the way around.

Another mistake is confusing which direction tightens and loosens the peg. On most guitars, the three pegs on the left side of the headstock (for strings 6, 5, and 4) tighten when you turn them away from you, while the three on the right side tighten when you turn them toward you. Check your guitar before you start.

A third mistake is tuning too tightly. New strings and fresh tuning can feel stiff, but the strings should not feel like steel cables. If tuning feels hard, you may be turning the wrong direction. If the string sounds very high-pitched and tight, you have probably tuned it too sharp—back off slightly.

Finally, do not assume your guitar stays in tune all day. New strings go out of tune quickly as they settle. Older strings drift over hours. Tune before you play, and check tuning again after 10 or 15 minutes of playing.

When to retune and how often

Tune your guitar before every practice session or performance. If you are learning, tune at the start of each session. If you are playing for an hour or more, check tuning halfway through.

New strings need retuning more often because they are still stretching. Stretch new strings gently by hand before tuning (pull each string away from the fretboard a few times) to speed up the settling process. After a few days of playing, new strings will hold tuning much better.

Temperature and humidity also affect tuning. If you move your guitar from a cold room to a warm one, or from dry air to humid air, it will go slightly out of tune. This is normal and not a sign of a problem. Retune after the guitar has been in the new environment for a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I tune a string too high and it breaks?

Strings break when tuned far above their intended pitch. If a string feels very tight and sounds very high, stop turning when ready and loosen it. Acoustic and classical strings are more prone to breaking than electric strings. If a string does break, replace it with a new one of the same gauge and retune the others.

Can I tune my guitar to a different tuning?

Yes. Drop D (lowering string 6 to D), open G, and DADGAD are common alternatives. However, learn standard tuning first—most songs and lessons assume standard tuning, and changing tuning requires relearning chord shapes and can stress the neck if done frequently.

Do I need a tuner or can I tune by ear from the start?

A tuner is much faster and more accurate when you are learning. Use a tuner for your first few months. Once your ear develops, you can tune by the fret method. Many experienced players use both—a tuner to check, and their ear to fine-tune.

Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly?

New strings stretch and settle for several days. Older strings lose tension over time. Temperature changes, humidity shifts, and playing hard all cause drift. This is normal. Retune before playing and check again after 15 minutes if the guitar is new or the strings are fresh.

What is the difference between sharp and flat?

Sharp means the note is higher in pitch than it should be—the string is too tight. Flat means the note is lower in pitch than it should be—the string is too loose. A tuner will show you which direction to turn. Your ear will hear sharp as a slightly squeaky, high sound and flat as a slightly dull, low sound.