In standard tuning with A4 set to 440 Hz, a guitar’s open strings 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. Each fret raises the pitch by one equal-tempered semitone, and the 12th fret produces exactly twice the open string’s frequency.
These values describe each note’s fundamental frequency—the lowest repeating vibration that determines its pitch. This guide to scientific pitch notation explains why the open E strings are labeled E2 and E4.
What Are the Frequencies of the Open Guitar Strings?
The six open strings in standard guitar tuning cover 82.41 Hz to 329.63 Hz when A4 equals 440 Hz. Read from the thickest, lowest string to the thinnest, highest string, the tuning is E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4.
| String | Open note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6th, thickest | 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 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
String numbering runs opposite to pitch order: the 1st string is high E, while the 6th is low E. The strings are two octaves apart, so E4 vibrates four times as fast as E2. See the standard tuning frequency breakdown for more detail.
Guitar notation adds another possible source of confusion. Standard guitar music is written one octave higher than it sounds. The open 6th string sounds as E2 even though it is generally written as E3 on a treble-clef staff.
What Are the Guitar Note Frequencies From Frets 0–12?
The table below gives the fundamental frequency for every string from the open position, or fret 0, through fret 12. Values assume twelve-tone equal temperament and A4 = 440 Hz. Sharps and flats shown together are enharmonic names: for example, F♯ and G♭ have the same frequency in equal temperament but may be spelled differently according to the key.
| Fret | 6th string | 5th string | 4th string | 3rd string | 2nd string | 1st string |
| 0 | E2 (82.41) | A2 (110.00) | D3 (146.83) | G3 (196.00) | B3 (246.94) | E4 (329.63) |
| 1 | F2 (87.31) | A♯2/B♭2 (116.54) | D♯3/E♭3 (155.56) | G♯3/A♭3 (207.65) | C4 (261.63) | F4 (349.23) |
| 2 | F♯2/G♭2 (92.50) | B2 (123.47) | E3 (164.81) | A3 (220.00) | C♯4/D♭4 (277.18) | F♯4/G♭4 (369.99) |
| 3 | G2 (98.00) | C3 (130.81) | F3 (174.61) | A♯3/B♭3 (233.08) | D4 (293.66) | G4 (392.00) |
| 4 | G♯2/A♭2 (103.83) | C♯3/D♭3 (138.59) | F♯3/G♭3 (185.00) | B3 (246.94) | D♯4/E♭4 (311.13) | G♯4/A♭4 (415.30) |
| 5 | A2 (110.00) | D3 (146.83) | G3 (196.00) | C4 (261.63) | E4 (329.63) | A4 (440.00) |
| 6 | A♯2/B♭2 (116.54) | D♯3/E♭3 (155.56) | G♯3/A♭3 (207.65) | C♯4/D♭4 (277.18) | F4 (349.23) | A♯4/B♭4 (466.16) |
| 7 | B2 (123.47) | E3 (164.81) | A3 (220.00) | D4 (293.66) | F♯4/G♭4 (369.99) | B4 (493.88) |
| 8 | C3 (130.81) | F3 (174.61) | A♯3/B♭3 (233.08) | D♯4/E♭4 (311.13) | G4 (392.00) | C5 (523.25) |
| 9 | C♯3/D♭3 (138.59) | F♯3/G♭3 (185.00) | B3 (246.94) | E4 (329.63) | G♯4/A♭4 (415.30) | C♯5/D♭5 (554.37) |
| 10 | D3 (146.83) | G3 (196.00) | C4 (261.63) | F4 (349.23) | A4 (440.00) | D5 (587.33) |
| 11 | D♯3/E♭3 (155.56) | G♯3/A♭3 (207.65) | C♯4/D♭4 (277.18) | F♯4/G♭4 (369.99) | A♯4/B♭4 (466.16) | D♯5/E♭5 (622.25) |
| 12 | E3 (164.81) | A3 (220.00) | D4 (293.66) | G4 (392.00) | B4 (493.88) | E5 (659.26) |
The table also reveals repeated pitches. A2 occurs on both the open 5th string and the 6th string at fret 5. Both positions have the same fundamental, although string thickness and harmonics give them different tone colors. A broader music note frequency chart places these pitches within the full musical range.
How Does Frequency Change at Each Guitar Fret?
Each fret multiplies the previous frequency by (2^{1/12}), approximately 1.05946. The increase is a constant ratio, not a constant number of hertz, because equal temperament divides an octave into 12 equal pitch steps.
The frequency at any fret can be calculated with:
[
f_n = f_0 \times 2^{n/12}
]
Here, (f_0) is the open-string frequency and (n) is the fret number. To calculate the note at fret 5 of the low E string:
[
82.41 \times 2^{5/12} \approx 110.00\text{ Hz}
]
The result is A2, matching the open 5th string. At fret 12, the multiplier becomes (2^{12/12}=2), so E2 at 82.41 Hz becomes E3 at 164.81 Hz. This doubling relationship is the defining acoustic property of an octave interval.
Because the ratio is constant, the hertz difference grows as notes rise. Moving from E2 to F2 adds about 4.90 Hz, while moving from E4 to F4 adds about 19.60 Hz. Both movements are one semitone.
Why Can a Measured Frequency Differ From the Chart?
A guitar note may measure above or below its theoretical frequency because of the tuning reference, technique, string condition, setup, or pitch detection. The chart is a mathematical target, not a fixed measurement.
Tuning reference and intonation
The listed values use A4 = 440 Hz. If an ensemble uses another concert reference, every guitar frequency changes by the same proportion; the explanation of 432 Hz versus 440 Hz tuning shows how that shift affects pitch.
Fretting too firmly or bending a string pulls it sharp. Poor intonation can make an open string accurate while fretted notes drift sharp or flat. Comparing the 12th-fret harmonic, fretted note, and octave target can reveal a setup problem. Temperature and string age also explain why instruments drift out of tune.
Fundamental frequency and harmonics
A plucked guitar string does not emit only one frequency. E2 has a fundamental near 82.41 Hz plus harmonics near whole-number multiples of that value, shaped by the string, pickups, guitar body, amplifier, and playing technique.
A tuner estimates the fundamental even when an overtone is stronger. A display may therefore jump octaves during the noisy pick attack. Letting the note settle and muting other strings produces a steadier reading. Learn more about pitch compared with frequency.
What Frequencies Do Common Alternate Guitar Tunings Use?
Alternate tunings change one or more open-string pitches, but the same equal-temperament calculations still apply. Drop D lowers only the 6th string from E2 to D2, while half-step-down tuning lowers every standard-tuned string by one semitone.
| Tuning or instrument | Open strings, low to high | Fundamental frequencies, low to high |
| 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 |
| Standard seven-string | B1–E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4 | 61.74, 82.41, 110.00, 146.83, 196.00, 246.94, 329.63 Hz |
When tuning by ear, use a stable reference note and then tune the remaining strings through matching notes, harmonics, or intervals. This step-by-step guide to tuning a guitar by ear explains the practical relationships between strings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frequency is the low E string on a guitar?
The open low E, or 6th string, is E2 at approximately 82.41 Hz in standard tuning with A4 = 440 Hz. Its 12th-fret octave is E3 at approximately 164.81 Hz.
Why do two guitar positions produce the same note frequency?
The guitar fretboard repeats many pitches across adjacent strings. For example, the 6th string at fret 5 and the open 5th string both produce A2 at 110 Hz, although their timbre can differ.
Does every guitar fret increase frequency by the same number of hertz?
No. Every fret increases frequency by the same ratio, (2^{1/12}), rather than the same hertz amount. Higher notes therefore gain more hertz per semitone than lower notes.
Why does a tuner sometimes show the correct note in the wrong octave?
A tuner may lock onto a strong harmonic instead of the fundamental, especially during the initial pick attack or when other strings resonate. Mute unused strings, pick cleanly, and allow the note to sustain before judging the octave reading.
Are acoustic and electric guitar note frequencies the same?
Yes. An acoustic and an electric guitar tuned to the same note share the same fundamental target frequency. Their construction and signal chain change the balance of harmonics and therefore the timbre, not the note’s theoretical fundamental.
How does changing A4 from 440 Hz affect guitar frequencies?
Every frequency changes in direct proportion to the new reference. At A4 = 432 Hz, for example, multiply each 440-based value by (432/440), making the open low E approximately 80.91 Hz instead of 82.41 Hz.
Vincent is a pitch detection and vocal analysis writer at OnlinePitchDetector. He focuses on pitch recognition, vocal frequency analysis, singing tools, and real-time audio testing for singers, musicians, producers, and beginners.