Electric Guitar Tuning Chart

A visual representation of common tuning strings, this electric guitar tuning chart display both a simulated guitar pedal style tuner as well as the headstock showing you where each note should be tuned to. You can use the on-screen controls or even your computer keyboard to move between settings quickly.

As you can see from the widget on the left, the six strings is displayed in the usual order (lowest to highest) starting with Low E to High E. Simply click on one of the string buttons that will turn it into an orange ‘active’ string and you’ll be able to listen to its desired pitch. Below the buttons, there is also a full frequency table containing the actual Hertz number for each note to act as a handy reference during your tuning.

How to Use the Guitar Tuner Tool

You’ll always know what pitch you’re playing because the active string highlight in orange. The current note appears in a simulated tuner display on the right, which also has a meter showing how sharp or flat you are. A strobe animation below the display sweeps from left to right as the pitch gets sharper, and in the opposite direction if it gets flatter. If the pitch is perfectly centered then this animation will freeze and the status will say centered. So this provides the same kind of visual feedback that a real chromatic tuner pedal would of provide.

The Strike test pitch button plays the note currently on the chosen string with the selected number of cents offset. So you can compare a slightly out of tune note against the perfect pitch. Lock to center button: Resets the slider back to 0 (zero) and plays the perfect pitch for that string. This lets you hear how close you are to being in tune different than being slightly out of tune. These buttons allows you to compare sounds without having to adjust the slider first.

Next is the simulated tuning offset slider, which adjusts the pitch of the selected string by as much as a quarter tone flat or sharp. To change the pitch, drag the slider right for sharper and left for flatter. The meter needle will move to match the adjustment and the strobe animation will update to indicate the direction of the drift. It enables you to see what effect tiny changes to the pitch have on the visual readout.

You can also control how loudly the tones will play using the output volume slider. By default, the volume is at a comfortable and moderate setting suitable for most listening situations. If you want to turn off the sounds right away, press the Cut amplifier button which will mute all audio. This is handy if you’re finished practicing or just want some peace and quiet first.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to navigate the widget quickly without a mouse. Number keys 1-6 select strings from low E (one) to high E (six). The left/right arrow keys adjusts the cents offset in small amounts so you can practice fine tuning. Zero will centre the offset and the space bar will hit the currently selected pitch. The X key mutes the output sound. It instantly silences the sound. H displays the bottom help panel (which is also available with a click). This shows some quick reference help text in case you need a reminder of what something does. F toggles the widget into full screen. In this mode, you get more of the tuner display and controls. This is useful if you want a bigger picture of how your tunings is working while experimenting with different tuning states.

This will develop your ‘ear’ for the frequency of strings in standard tuning. Click each string individually and play it to hear what should sound like on each string. With the offset slider pulled to the side slightly, detune one string deliberately and observe the reaction of the tuner meter. Then adjust the offset by trial-and-error until the needle settles back to the centre position so you can train your eye to see the right visual clue. The interactivity helps connect visual clues with pitch.

You can also use the widget to listen to the interval relationship within standard tuning. You can also hear how it is spaced between strings. For example, play one string then another close by and you’ll notice the interval is the third and the fourth, which are at the root of the way guitars get tuned. That can assist with your ear training and give you a better idea of intonation when performing or recording live.

If you are a musician, this widget should be a useful way to help you hear and visualize the ideas behind tuning. You can use it in a free and relaxed way to test your pitch accuracy without worrying about whether you’re going to tune an actual instrument. If you have forgotten what the frequency or pitch of standard tuning is, then bring up the widget next time you’re practicing. Firstly, play a note on the lowest string (E) and just listen to what you have set it at. Then try sliding the offset around and get used to hearing what is sharp and flat. Use the keyboard shortcuts to move quickly from one string to another. Then, challenge yourself to remember the order they’re tuned in.

Remember, this is a journey of discovery. Take time to learn and fine-tune your grasp of how to tune a guitar.