What Hz is each guitar string in standard tuning?

In standard EADGBE tuning at A440: String 6 (low E) = 82.41 Hz, String 5 (A) = 110.00 Hz, String 4 (D) = 146.83 Hz, String 3 (G) = 196.00 Hz, String 2 (B) = 246.94 Hz, String 1 (high E) = 329.63 Hz. Use a chromatic tuner to match each string to its target frequency.

What is Drop D tuning on guitar?

Drop D tuning lowers the low E string (string 6) by one whole step from E2 (82.41 Hz) to D2 (73.42 Hz). The remaining strings stay in standard EADGBE tuning. Drop D is used in rock, metal, and grunge for heavier low-end riffs and easy one-finger power chords on the bottom three strings.

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Guitar Tuning Guide

Q: What is standard guitar tuning?

Standard guitar tuning is EADGBE from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest) string. The exact frequencies are: E2 = 82.41 Hz, A2 = 110.00 Hz, D3 = 146.83 Hz, G3 = 196.00 Hz, B3 = 246.94 Hz, E4 = 329.63 Hz. These frequencies are based on A4 = 440 Hz, the international standard pitch reference.

Q: How do I use a chromatic tuner to tune my guitar?

Open the BeatKey Chromatic Tuner at notes.beatkey.app/tuner in your browser. Allow microphone access. Play one string at a time. The tuner shows the detected note name, Hz value, and cents deviation (how far above or below the target pitch). Tune each string to the correct note: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4 for standard tuning. A cents value of 0 means perfectly in tune.

Standard EADGBE tuning with exact Hz frequencies, 8 alternate tunings with string-by-string reference, and how to tune with a free browser chromatic tuner.

EADGBE

Standard tuning

Alternate tunings

Hz ref

Every string

Standard Guitar Tuning: EADGBE

Standard tuning is EADGBE, read from the lowest (thickest, string 6) to the highest (thinnest, string 1). All frequencies are based on A4 = 440 Hz, the international concert pitch standard.

String	Name	Note	Frequency (Hz)	MIDI	Description
String 6	Low E	E2	82.41 Hz	MIDI 40	Lowest string, fattest gauge
String 5	A	A2	110.00 Hz	MIDI 45	Second string from bottom
String 4	D	D3	146.83 Hz	MIDI 50	Middle-low string
String 3	G	G3	196.00 Hz	MIDI 55	Middle-high string
String 2	B	B3	246.94 Hz	MIDI 59	Second string from top
String 1	High E	E4	329.63 Hz	MIDI 64	Highest string, thinnest gauge

Why A4 = 440 Hz?

440 Hz is the international standard concert pitch adopted in 1939. Every note in standard tuning is calculated relative to A4 = 440 Hz. The A2 string (string 5, 110 Hz) is exactly 2 octaves below A4. Each octave doubles the frequency: A2 = 110 Hz, A3 = 220 Hz, A4 = 440 Hz. If you use 432 Hz tuning, all string frequencies shift down proportionally.

Tune Your Guitar Now

Free chromatic tuner in your browser. No app download, no account. Works on phone, tablet, or computer.

Open Chromatic Tuner

How to Tune a Guitar with a Chromatic Tuner

A chromatic tuner detects any pitch and shows you the note name, Hz value, and how many cents off you are from perfect pitch. Follow these steps for accurate tuning every time.

Open the Chromatic Tuner

Go to notes.beatkey.app/tuner in any browser. Works on phone, tablet, or computer. No app download needed.

Allow Microphone Access

Click "Start Tuner" and grant microphone permission when prompted. Hold your guitar close to the microphone for the best detection.

Tip: If no sound is detected, check that your browser has microphone permission in your OS settings.

Tune String 6 (Low E) First

Pluck the thickest string. The tuner shows the detected note name and Hz. Adjust the tuning peg until you see E2 (82.41 Hz) with 0 cents deviation.

Tip: If the cents meter shows a negative number, the string is flat. Positive means sharp.

Work Up to String 1 (High E)

Tune strings in order: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4. Pluck each string cleanly. Let it ring for 2-3 seconds before adjusting.

Do a Final Check

After tuning all 6 strings, check string 6 again. Tightening higher strings can slightly detune lower ones. Repeat until all 6 strings hold at 0 cents.

Tip: New strings go out of tune faster. Stretch them by pulling gently on each string after initial tuning, then retune.

Cents: What Does the Number Mean?

Cents measure how far a pitch is from a target note. 100 cents = 1 semitone. If the tuner shows +5 cents, your string is 5 cents sharp (too high). Tune down slightly. If it shows -8 cents, your string is 8 cents flat (too low). Tune up. A value between -3 and +3 cents is considered in tune for most playing. For recording, aim for 0.

Alternate Guitar Tunings

Alternate tunings change one or more strings from standard EADGBE. Changed strings are highlighted. Use the chromatic tuner to hit the exact Hz for each string.

Drop D

Rock, Metal, Grunge

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	D2	A2	D3	G3	B3	E4
Hz	73.42	110.00	146.83	196.00	246.94	329.63

Lower string 6 only. Easy power chords on bottom 3 strings with one finger.

Open G

Blues, Folk, Slide Guitar

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	D2	G2	D3	G3	B3	D4
Hz	73.42	97.99	146.83	196.00	246.94	293.66

Used by Keith Richards, Robert Johnson. Slide guitar classic. Strum open for G major chord.

Open D

Blues, Folk, Slide Guitar

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	D2	A2	D3	F#3	A3	D4
Hz	73.42	110.00	146.83	185.00	220.00	293.66

Joni Mitchell classic tuning. Strum open for D major. Capo 2 for E major.

DADGAD

Celtic, Folk, Acoustic

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	D2	A2	D3	G3	A3	D4
Hz	73.42	110.00	146.83	196.00	220.00	293.66

Jimmy Page used this for Kashmir. Creates a Dsus4 open chord. Common in Celtic music.

Open E

Blues, Slide Guitar

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	E2	B2	E3	G#3	B3	E4
Hz	82.41	123.47	164.81	207.65	246.94	329.63

Derek Trucks and Elmore James signature tuning for slide. Strum open for E major.

Open A

Blues, Rock

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	E2	A2	E3	A3	C#4	E4
Hz	82.41	110.00	164.81	220.00	277.18	329.63

Similar to Open E but a 4th lower. Duane Allman used this on many recordings.

Half Step Down (Eb Standard)

Rock, Metal

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	Eb2	Ab2	Db3	Gb3	Bb3	Eb4
Hz	77.78	103.83	138.59	185.00	233.08	311.13

Jimi Hendrix, Guns N Roses, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Every string down one half step.

Full Step Down (D Standard)

Metal, Grunge

String	6	5	4	3	2	1
Note	D2	G2	C3	F3	A3	D4
Hz	73.42	97.99	130.81	174.61	220.00	293.66

Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden. Heavier tone, easier string bending.

Yellow values show the strings that changed from standard EADGBE tuning. All other strings stay at standard pitch.

Guitar Tuning Tips for Music Production

🎵

Detect Key Before Recording

Use BeatKey to find the key of your backing track before tuning. If a sample is in Eb, tune down a half step to match instead of transposing the sample.

🎛️

Match Tuning to A440 for DAW Work

Most DAWs default to A4 = 440 Hz. If your guitar recording is tuned to 432 Hz or 443 Hz, it will pitch-shift unpredictably when MIDI instruments play alongside it.

🔑

Alternate Tunings and Key Detection

If you record in Drop D, Open G, or DADGAD, the open chord is in a different key. Run the recording through BeatKey to confirm the actual key before writing chord charts.

⏱️

Re-Tune Between Takes

Guitar strings drift during playing, especially under aggressive picking or bending. Tune at the start of every recording session, not just at the beginning of the day.

📊

Use Hz Values for Sample Matching

If you have a guitar sample that sounds slightly off, use the Note Frequency Calculator to find what Hz the sample is actually at, then retune your guitar to match.

🔧

Check Intonation Not Just Open Strings

A guitar can be in tune at the open string but out of tune at the 12th fret. Play the 12th-fret harmonic and the fretted note. They should match. If not, adjust the saddle.

Guitar Frequency Range in Context

Guitar spans about 3.5 octaves in standard tuning, from E2 to E6 (including the 24th fret on a high-E string). Here is how it sits relative to the piano and other instruments.

Instrument	Lowest Note	Highest Note	Low Hz	High Hz
Guitar (Standard, 24 frets)	E2	E6	82.41 Hz	1318.51 Hz
Bass Guitar (Standard)	E1	G4	41.20 Hz	392.00 Hz
Piano (Full 88 Keys)	A0	C8	27.50 Hz	4186.01 Hz
Ukulele (Standard GCEA)	C4	A5	261.63 Hz	880.00 Hz
Vocal (Tenor)	C3	C5	130.81 Hz	523.25 Hz

Guitar Tuning and Key Detection Workflow

🎵

1. Detect the Key

Upload your track or sample to BeatKey. Get the key and BPM in seconds.

Open BeatKey

🎸

2. Tune to Match

Use the chromatic tuner to tune your guitar to the key. If the sample is in Eb, tune down a half step.

Open Chromatic Tuner

📊

3. Check Hz Values

Use the Note Frequency Calculator to verify exact Hz for any note or tuning reference.

Note Frequency Calc

Frequently Asked Questions

What is standard guitar tuning?

Standard guitar tuning is EADGBE from string 6 (lowest/thickest) to string 1 (highest/thinnest). The exact Hz values at A440: E2 = 82.41 Hz, A2 = 110.00 Hz, D3 = 146.83 Hz, G3 = 196.00 Hz, B3 = 246.94 Hz, E4 = 329.63 Hz.

What Hz is each guitar string?

In standard EADGBE tuning at A440: String 6 (E2) = 82.41 Hz, String 5 (A2) = 110.00 Hz, String 4 (D3) = 146.83 Hz, String 3 (G3) = 196.00 Hz, String 2 (B3) = 246.94 Hz, String 1 (E4) = 329.63 Hz.

What is Drop D tuning?

Drop D lowers string 6 from E2 (82.41 Hz) to D2 (73.42 Hz). All other strings stay in standard EADGBE. Drop D is used in rock, metal, and grunge for one-finger power chords on the bottom three strings and a heavier low-end tone.

How do I use a chromatic tuner to tune my guitar?

Open notes.beatkey.app/tuner and allow microphone access. Pluck one string at a time. The tuner shows the detected note name, Hz value, and cents offset. Tune each string until you reach 0 cents deviation. Work from string 6 (E2) to string 1 (E4) for standard tuning, then recheck string 6 after finishing all strings.