How-to guide / Updated July 2026
How to Tune a Ukulele: G, C, E and A, step by step
Five minutes to learn, then automatic forever. Here is every method, plus why the G string is the odd one out.
To tune a ukulele, set the four strings to G, C, E and A using a clip-on chromatic tuner on the headstock. Standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A, where the G is tuned higher than the C. This is called re-entrant tuning and it is what gives the ukulele its cheerful sound. Baritone ukuleles use D-G-B-E instead.
Standard ukulele tuning explained
Hold the ukulele in playing position. The string nearest your face is string 4, and the string nearest the floor is string 1. Counting from the top down, the notes are G, C, E, A.
Standard tuning reference
Note, string number and exact pitch in hertz.
Notice something strange. The C string is the lowest note, not the G at the top. That is not a mistake.
Why the G string is the odd one out
On most stringed instruments the pitch climbs steadily from top string to bottom. The ukulele breaks that pattern. Its G is tuned an octave up, so the pitch order across the strings is high, low, medium, high.
This is called re-entrant tuning, and it is the reason a strummed ukulele chord sounds bright and jangly rather than stacked like a guitar. All four strings sit within a single octave, so no note dominates.
Method 1: use a clip-on tuner
This is the fastest and most accurate method, and it works in a noisy room because the tuner reads vibration through the wood rather than sound through the air.
- Clip the tuner to the headstock and switch it to chromatic mode.
- Pluck the C string, the third one down. Let it ring cleanly.
- Read the display. If it shows a letter below C, turn the peg to tighten. If it shows a letter above C, loosen.
- Always finish by tuning upward into pitch. Coming up to the note leaves the string more stable than dropping down onto it.
- Repeat for E, A, then G. Go around all four strings twice, because tightening one string changes the tension on the others.
Which way does the peg turn? There is no universal answer, because it depends on whether the tuner is on the left or right side of the headstock. Turn a small amount, watch the display, and learn your own instrument. A quarter turn is a lot.
Method 2: use a tuning app
Phone apps use the microphone, which is accurate in a quiet room and useless in a busy one. They are fine for occasional use but a physical clip-on tuner costs around $12 and is worth owning.
Whatever app you choose, check it is set to ukulele mode or chromatic mode, not guitar mode. Guitar mode will try to push your strings toward E-A-D-G-B-E and can snap them.
Method 3: tune the ukulele to itself
If one string is right and the others have drifted, you can tune the instrument against itself. This gets the ukulele in tune with itself, though not necessarily at concert pitch.
- Press the C string at the 4th fret. That note is E. Tune the open E string to match it.
- Press the E string at the 5th fret. That note is A. Tune the open A string to match it.
- Press the C string at the 7th fret. That note is G. Tune the open G string to match it.
Play each pair together and listen for the wobble. As the two pitches converge, the wobble slows down and then disappears. Silence in the beating means you are there.
Method 4: tune to a piano or keyboard
Find middle C on the keyboard. That is your C string. Then count up to the E and A above it, and the G above that for your fourth string. Any keyboard, including a phone piano app, works as a pitch reference.
High G or low G, and why it matters
| Setup | G string pitch | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| High G (re-entrant) | 392.00 Hz | Bright, traditional, jangly | Strumming, singing along |
| Low G (linear) | 196.00 Hz | Fuller, more range, guitar-like | Fingerpicking, solo melody |
You cannot simply retune a high G string down an octave. It will flap and buzz. Low G requires a thicker, often wound string, sold as a low G set or a single replacement.
Baritone tuning is different
A baritone ukulele is tuned D-G-B-E, matching the top four strings of a guitar. If you own one, standard ukulele chord charts will not apply. Check our ukulele sizes chart to confirm which size you actually have before you start turning pegs.
Why your ukulele will not stay in tune
This is the single most common complaint from new players, and it usually is not a fault.
The strings are new
Nylon and Nylgut stretch for the first five to ten days. Expect to retune several times per session at first. Gently pulling each string away from the fretboard speeds up the settling process. After a week it stops.
The tuners are friction pegs
Friction tuners are simple pegs held by pressure. They slip. Most have a small screw at the end that can be tightened by a quarter turn to increase resistance. Geared tuners do not have this problem.
The string is not wound properly
If a string goes flat immediately after tuning, the winding at the post is slipping. Unwind it and start again, leaving two to three neat wraps around the post with the loose end trapped underneath.
Temperature and humidity changed
Wood expands and contracts. A ukulele carried from a cold car into a warm room will need retuning within minutes. This affects every wooden instrument.
Troubleshooting the tuner display
| What you see | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Reads G but sounds too low | You are an octave down | Tighten until it reads G again at the higher octave |
| Display jumps between notes | Two strings ringing at once | Mute the others with your palm |
| Needle drifts flat as it rings | Normal for new strings | Tune again after the note settles |
| Open string fine, frets sound sharp | Action is too high | Ask a shop for a setup |
Final thoughts
Learning how to tune a ukulele takes about five minutes and then becomes automatic. Clip a tuner on, work through C, E, A and G, go around twice, and always arrive at the note from below. Tune every single time you pick the instrument up, because playing in tune is most of what makes a beginner sound good.
Next, learn your first beginner chords, or if you are still shopping, see our picks for the best ukulele for beginners. For the physics behind pitch and hertz, see Wikipedia on musical tuning.
Frequently asked questions
What is standard ukulele tuning?
Standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A from the top string to the bottom. The exact pitches are G at 392.00 Hz, C at 261.63 Hz, E at 329.63 Hz and A at 440.00 Hz. This applies to soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles.
Why is the G string tuned higher than the C string?
This is called re-entrant tuning. Tuning the G up an octave keeps all four strings within a single octave, which produces the bright jangly sound the ukulele is known for instead of a stacked guitar-like chord.
Can I tune a ukulele without a tuner?
Yes. Press the C string at the 4th fret to match the open E, the E string at the 5th fret to match the open A, and the C string at the 7th fret to match the open G. This tunes the instrument to itself but not to concert pitch.
How often should I tune my ukulele?
Every time you play. A brand new ukulele may need retuning several times within one session while the strings stretch, which usually settles after five to ten days.
What is the difference between high G and low G?
High G tunes the fourth string to 392 Hz, above the C string, giving the traditional bright sound. Low G tunes it to 196 Hz, below the C, adding range for melody playing. Low G needs a thicker dedicated string.
How do you tune a baritone ukulele?
A baritone is tuned D-G-B-E, matching the top four strings of a guitar. Standard ukulele chord charts will not work on it without transposing.
Why does my ukulele go out of tune so quickly?
New nylon strings stretch for the first week, friction tuning pegs slip, and wood reacts to temperature and humidity changes. New strings are the most common cause and the problem resolves on its own.
Which way do I turn the tuning peg?
It depends on which side of the headstock the peg sits. Turn a small amount, watch the tuner display, and note which direction raises pitch on your instrument. A quarter turn changes pitch significantly.
Team Unicode to Krutidev builds and maintains the Hindi typography tools on this site, including this converter. He works with Devanagari font encodings, Remington keyboard layouts, and legacy to Unicode migration for typists and DTP professionals across India.
