Standard ukulele tuning
| String | Note | Pitch | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th (top) | G | G4 | 392.00 Hz |
| 3rd | C | C4 | 261.63 Hz |
| 2nd | E | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
| 1st (bottom) | A | A4 | 440.00 Hz |
Why the G string is high
Ukuleles usually use a re-entrant tuning: the strings are not in pitch order. The 4th string, G4, sounds higher than the 3rd string, C4.
In low G tuning, the G string is tuned one octave lower, G3, with a wound string made for it. Baritone ukuleles are tuned differently: D G B E, like the four highest strings of a guitar.
Tune your ukulele in 4 steps
Choose the ukulele
In the tuner, pick the ukulele in standard tuning.
Play the G string
Pluck the 4th string, at the top, and let it ring. Remember that it is a high G.
Follow the needle
Too low: tighten the string. Too high: loosen it a little below the note, then bring it back up.
Tune C, E and A
Do the same for the other three strings, then play them all once more.
Turn slowly. Ukulele pegs are sensitive: small turns make it easier to land on the note.
New strings stretch. Expect to retune often during the first days.
Other ukulele tunings in the app
| Tuning | Notes, 4th string to 1st |
|---|---|
| Low G | G3 C4 E4 A4 |
| Slack Key | G4 C4 E4 G4 |
| Canadian tuning | A4 D4 F♯4 B4 |
Standard tuning is free; the other tunings come with the subscription, or one at a time with a short video on Android.
Questions & answers
What are the notes of a ukulele?
G, C, E and A, from the 4th string (at the top when you hold the ukulele) to the 1st string. The G is higher than the C: G4, C4, E4, A4.
Why is my ukulele's G string higher than the C?
Standard ukulele tuning is re-entrant: the G string is tuned to the G above middle C. In low G tuning, it is one octave lower.
Can I tune a ukulele with my phone?
Yes. Choose the ukulele in a tuner app and play one string at a time, in a quiet room, with the phone close to the instrument.
How do I tune a baritone ukulele?
A baritone ukulele uses D G B E, like the four highest strings of a guitar. In Guitar Tuner Pro, you can tune it with the chromatic mode.