Guitar Tuning Frequency Chart

This handy little widget allows you to tune your guitar accuratly using an interactive frequency chart. Simply click the on-screen buttons or use your computer keyboard keys (see below) to play around. The tool give you the precise hertz value for every string which is what you’ll hear when using a digital tuner. There are plenty of options available as it fits not only standard tuning but also seventeen alternative configurations.

First, select a tuning from series of buttons along the top. These include many common open tunings plus Standard, Drop D, and DADGAD. Select the desired tuning by clicking its button on the tuner’s interface, and it will immediate change to match. You’ll notice that chosen tuning is now highlighted in green, indicating what preset you’re working with. That way, frequency data and the ear training exercises matches your current setup.

How to Use the Guitar Tuner

Below the tuning selector sit six cards that represent each of your guitar strings; starting with sixth string on the left and finishing with first string on the right. On each card you’ll find the note name, along with its exact frequency in hertz. By tapping on the card you’re able to hear a clean reference tone played back through your headphones or speakers. This gives you a reference to tune against as you tweak your string until it hit the right pitch.

If there is a difference from the standard tuning, the cards will let you know, as well as the number of half-steps by which the string has been altered.

Click on the Play all button if you wish to hear all of these together. This will play each tone from the lowest string upwards through to the highest one. What it does is help you ‘hear’ what the tuning sounds like for all of the open strings. So you can hear whether or not your instrument are tuned correctly over the full range. It is a handy way to test yourself quickly before attempting to play some music.

If you want to tune by ear without a reference tone, go down to the fret method section where it describes how to retune each string relative to the string directly underneath it. Listen to the two notes tap on a step. You’ll notice that the first note you hear is the note you want your open higher string to be. You can find this note by fretting the lower string. Then you’ll hear the second note which is the open higher string you’re adjusting. Keep turning your tuning peg until both pitches combine to form one note together. Look out for the yellow numbered fret that indicates where you need to place your finger to hit the right note.

The controls row has a slider that lets you set the total volume of the playing reference tones. If they’re too loud, or if you’re practicing somewhere quiet, use the slider. Drag it to the right to turn up the volume or to the left to turn it down. Any note you play will have this volume applied to it, including both the entire tune-up sequence and each separate tap on each string.

To get more screen real estate, hit the Fullscreen button at the top right of the widget. That will expand the widget to take up your whole browser window. The text is bigger, the cards are bigger, and they’re easier to read from smaller screens. Hit the same button, or use your browser’s normal exit command to exit fullscreen mode.

Clicking the help button brings up a panel explaining quickly how each feature works. For instance it will tell you about the colour coding for non-standard tunings or remind you what the numbers mean for frequency. You click on the button again to make the panel reappear. By default the panel is hidden and doesn’t distract as you tune.

It’s also entirely keyboard friendly. Each step, string card, and tuning button can be selected by tabbing around. Any selected item can then be activated with the Space or Enter key. So you can navigate the reference tones without picking up your mouse at all. This makes it super useful if you like keyboard shortcuts, or want to use it while doing other things on your computer.

Here are some things to try when using the tool. First tune the lowest string to the reference tone then use the fret method for the remaining strings. This will anchor your tuning in a known frequency. It will help prevent small errors that might compound on themselves moving upwards on the neck.

With the Play all button, you can make quick checks if you are changing tunings often. You can also compare different tunings side by side to hear how they affect the open chord sound. Be sure to take your time and carefully match the pitches. A slight variation from the desired note can result in your guitar being out of tune either sharply or flat.

This chart should of be a go-to reference that keeps your guitar well tuned. It’s helpful for practicing normally but also comes into its own if you’re trying something a little different with tuning.