How to Tune a Guitar

Updated September 2026 · How we create our lessons

Tune before you practice. A perfectly played chord will still sound wrong if the guitar is out of tune. Standard tuning from the thickest string to the thinnest is E A D G B E.

6th E — 5th A — 4th D — 3rd G — 2nd B — 1st E

Use a tuner

Play one string

Pluck the string by itself and let it ring. Avoid touching the other strings.

Watch the note name

Your tuner should show the target letter. If the note is too low, tighten the string a little. If it is too high, loosen it a little.

Move slowly near the target

Small turns are enough. Stop when the tuner shows the correct note near the center.

Tune all six strings again

Changing one string can slightly affect the others. A quick second pass is normal.

Beginner check: If you are not sure whether you are tightening or loosening the string, make a tiny turn and listen. Do not make large tuner turns while guessing.

Why the two E strings are different

The 6th string and 1st string are both named E, but they are different octaves. The 6th is the thick, low E. The 1st is the thin, high E.

Common tuning problems

The tuner shows the wrong letter: the string may be far from its target. Move slowly toward the correct note.
The note jumps around: pluck once and let it ring instead of repeatedly hitting the string.
A new string keeps going flat: new strings often stretch. Retune them more often at first.
The guitar sounds wrong even though open strings are in tune: setup or intonation may need attention.

Keep going

When this feels comfortable, return to the Beginner Guitar Roadmap and move to the next step.