Guitar Tuning Frequencies – Complete Guide

Standard guitar tuning uses six pitches: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4. Their fundamental frequencies are 82.41, 110.00, 146.83, 196.00, 246.94, and 329.63 Hz when A4 is calibrated to 440 Hz.

These guitar tuning frequencies give you exact targets for a chromatic tuner, frequency analyzer, or recording setup. If you want a broader reference that includes fretted pitches, see the complete guitar note frequency guide.

What Are the Standard Guitar Tuning Frequencies?

From the thickest string to the thinnest, standard six-string guitar tuning is E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4. The table below shows each open string’s fundamental frequency in 12-tone equal temperament with A4 set to 440 Hz.

String	Physical position	Note	Frequency
6th	Thickest, lowest	E2	82.41 Hz
5th		A2	110.00 Hz
4th		D3	146.83 Hz
3rd		G3	196.00 Hz
2nd		B3	246.94 Hz
1st	Thinnest, highest	E4	329.63 Hz

The 6th string is called “low E,” while the 1st string is “high E.” Both have the note name E, but high E vibrates four times as fast as low E because it is two octaves higher: 82.41 × 2 × 2 ≈ 329.63 Hz. The same doubling rule applies to every musical octave.

Why aren’t adjacent strings equally spaced?

Standard tuning rises by a perfect fourth between E–A, A–D, D–G, and B–E. The G–B pair is a major third. This arrangement makes common chord shapes and scale fingerings more practical than a tuning made entirely of fourths.

The frequency ratios are not identical across every pair because the intervals differ. You can explore why notes separated by the same musical interval maintain a consistent relationship in this explanation of musical intervals.

Why Is a Guitar Tuner Set to 440 Hz?

A tuner set to 440 Hz uses A4 at 440 Hz as its reference pitch. It does not mean that any open guitar string should read 440 Hz; the tuner calculates every target note relative to that reference.

ISO 16 specifies 440 Hz as the standard frequency for A above middle C. In equal temperament, the frequency of a note can be calculated from A4 with:

frequency = 440 × 2^(n/12)

Here, n is the number of semitones above or below A4. For example, the guitar’s open A2 is 24 semitones below A4, so its frequency is 440 × 2^(-24/12) = 110 Hz. A fuller explanation of the reference and its history is available in the guide to A4 frequency.

What happens if the tuner is calibrated to 432 Hz?

Changing the reference from A4 = 440 Hz to A4 = 432 Hz lowers every target by the same proportion. Standard tuning note names remain E–A–D–G–B–E, but their frequencies become approximately 80.91, 108.00, 144.16, 192.44, 242.45, and 323.63 Hz.

A guitar tuned consistently at 432 Hz can sound in tune by itself but will be flat against instruments using 440 Hz. The practical differences are covered in the comparison of 432 Hz and 440 Hz tuning.

How Do You Tune a Guitar Using Frequencies?

Use a chromatic tuner set to A4 = 440 Hz, play one open string at a time, and adjust until the displayed note and frequency match the target. Tune in a quiet space and mute the other strings so sympathetic vibrations do not confuse the reading.

1. Start with the 6th string and confirm that the tuner detects E2 near 82.41 Hz.
2. If the pitch is flat, tighten the string gradually. If it is sharp, loosen it below the target and then approach the target from below.
3. Repeat with A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4 using the standard-frequency table.
4. Check all six strings again because changing one string’s tension can slightly affect the others, especially on guitars with floating tremolo bridges.
5. Play a few familiar chords and recheck any string that sounds unsettled.

Tune up to the target when possible. Approaching from below helps reduce slack around the tuning-post gears and can make the pitch settle more predictably. If you have no tuner available, you can use matching fretted notes and harmonics with the guitar tuning by ear method, although that only guarantees correct concert pitch when your starting reference is accurate.

How should you read cents?

A cent is one hundredth of an equal-tempered semitone. A tuner showing − cents means the string is flat; a + reading means it is sharp. Aim for the center or zero-cents indicator rather than trying to match a rounded frequency display perfectly.

What Are the Frequencies for Common Alternate Guitar Tunings?

Alternate tunings change one or more open-string targets. The following values assume A4 = 440 Hz and list strings from the 6th to the 1st.

Tuning	Open-string notes	Frequencies from 6th to 1st
Drop D	D2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4	73.42, 110.00, 146.83, 196.00, 246.94, 329.63 Hz
Half-step down	E♭2–A♭2–D♭3–G♭3–B♭3–E♭4	77.78, 103.83, 138.59, 185.00, 233.08, 311.13 Hz
D standard	D2–G2–C3–F3–A3–D4	73.42, 98.00, 130.81, 174.61, 220.00, 293.66 Hz
Open G	D2–G2–D3–G3–B3–D4	73.42, 98.00, 146.83, 196.00, 246.94, 293.66 Hz

Lower tunings reduce string tension when the string gauge and scale length remain unchanged. A heavier string set may improve firmness and intonation, but the suitable gauge depends on the instrument, setup, and how far you tune down.

Why Does a Tuner Show the Wrong Frequency or Octave?

A tuner may jump between readings when it detects a harmonic instead of the fundamental, hears another vibrating string, or receives a weak or noisy signal. The note name may still look plausible even when the detected octave is wrong.

A plucked string produces a fundamental plus higher-frequency overtones. Plucking close to the bridge emphasizes brighter harmonics, while a moderate pluck near the middle of the string’s speaking length usually gives a tuner a clearer fundamental. Understanding the difference between physical vibration rate and perceived musical height can also help; see pitch versus frequency.

For a stable reading, use the neck pickup on an electric guitar, lower excessive distortion, mute unused strings, and let the initial pick attack pass before judging the display. Also confirm the tuner’s calibration is 440 Hz unless you intentionally use another reference.

Fresh strings can drift while stretching, and changes in temperature, humidity, playing pressure, and hardware friction can move pitch after tuning. The guide to why instruments go out of tune explains these causes in more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is standard guitar tuning 440 Hz?

Standard guitar tuning is based on A4 = 440 Hz, but the open strings themselves are not tuned to 440 Hz. Their targets are E2 at 82.41 Hz, A2 at 110.00 Hz, D3 at 146.83 Hz, G3 at 196.00 Hz, B3 at 246.94 Hz, and E4 at 329.63 Hz.

What frequency is the lowest guitar string?

In standard six-string tuning, the lowest open string is E2 at approximately 82.41 Hz. On a guitar in Drop D, the same string is lowered to D2 at approximately 73.42 Hz.

Why are the two open E strings different frequencies?

The low E is E2 at about 82.41 Hz, while the high E is E4 at about 329.63 Hz. They share the same note name but are two octaves apart, so the high E has four times the fundamental frequency.

What frequency should Drop D tuning use?

Drop D lowers only the 6th string from E2 to D2, or approximately 73.42 Hz. The remaining strings stay at A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4.

Can a guitar be in tune with itself but not at concert pitch?

Yes. The intervals between the strings can be correct while every string is uniformly sharp or flat relative to A4 = 440 Hz. The guitar may sound fine alone but clash with a correctly calibrated ensemble or backing track.

Why does my tuner show the right note in the wrong octave?

The tuner may be locking onto a harmonic, or the string may be tuned an octave away from its intended pitch. Mute other strings, pluck gently away from the bridge, and compare the detected frequency with the table rather than relying only on the note letter.