Ukulele Tuner

How to Tune a Ukulele

Tuning your ukulele is the very first thing you should do every time you pick up the instrument. Even a slightly out-of-tune ukulele can make beautiful chords sound unpleasant, which is especially discouraging for beginners who may not realize the instrument — not their playing — is the problem.

The standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A. When you hold your ukulele in playing position, the G string is closest to your chest (the 4th string), followed by C (3rd), E (2nd), and A (1st, closest to the floor).

To tune using our online tuner, simply tap on a string to hear its correct reference tone. Then pluck the matching string on your ukulele and turn the tuning peg until the two sounds match. When the pitches are close but not quite matched, you'll hear a wavering sound between the two notes. As you get closer, the wobbling slows down and eventually disappears — that's when you're in tune.

For even faster tuning, switch to Listen mode. This uses your device's microphone to detect the pitch you're playing in real time. The visual meter shows whether you're sharp (too high) or flat (too low), and lights up green when you've nailed it.

Ukulele String Names and Order

The four strings on a standard ukulele are tuned to G, C, E, and A. A popular way to remember this is the phrase "My Dog Has Fleas" — sing it while plucking each string from G to A.

4th string (G) — This is the string closest to your chest. On most ukuleles, it's tuned to a high G (above middle C), not a low G. This is called "re-entrant tuning" and gives the ukulele its signature bright, shimmery sound.

3rd string (C) — The lowest-pitched string in standard tuning. The C note serves as the root of the C major scale, which is why so many beginner ukulele songs are in the key of C.

2nd string (E) — Sits between C and A in pitch, completing the harmonic structure.

1st string (A) — The string closest to the floor and the highest-pitched in standard tuning. Often carries the melody in fingerpicking patterns.

When you strum all four open strings (G-C-E-A), you're playing a C6 chord — which is why the ukulele has that instantly recognizable, happy Hawaiian sound.

What Is Re-entrant Tuning?

In standard gCEA tuning, the G string (4th string, closest to your chest) is actually tuned higher than the C string below it. The pitch order goes high, low, medium, high — not sequential. This arrangement is called re-entrant tuning.

Re-entrant tuning gives the ukulele its distinctive chiming, jangly quality when strummed. Because there's no deep bass note, every strum has a bright, cheerful character that's hard to replicate on other instruments.

The lowercase "g" in gCEA tells you it's a high G (re-entrant). An uppercase G indicates low G tuning where pitches go sequentially from low to high.

Ukulele Tuning Variations Explained

Standard Tuning (gCEA) is used by the vast majority of players. Nearly all chord charts and instructional materials assume this tuning. It works on soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles.

Low G Tuning (GCEA) uses the same notes but the G string is tuned down one octave. This gives a wider range with deeper bass — great for fingerpicking. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's famous "Over the Rainbow" used Low G tuning.

Baritone Tuning (DGBE) is standard for baritone ukuleles. These notes are identical to the top four guitar strings, making it natural for guitarists.

D-Tuning (aDF♯B) shifts everything up one whole step. Popular in the 1920s-30s with a sweeter, brighter tone suited to traditional Hawaiian music.

Slack-Key Tuning (gCEG) creates an open C major chord when strummed. Inspired by Hawaiian slack-key guitar traditions — beautiful for droning, meditative playing.

Tips for Keeping Your Ukulele in Tune

New strings are the number one reason ukuleles won't stay in tune. Nylon strings need time to stretch and settle. After putting on new strings, gently pull each string away from the fretboard, tune it back up, and repeat. It typically takes 2-5 days for strings to stabilize.

Temperature and humidity affect tuning. Wood expands and contracts with moisture and temperature changes. Store your ukulele in its case when not playing to minimize environmental swings.

Always tune up to a note, not down. If a string is sharp, tune below the target first, then bring it back up. This ensures the string seats firmly against the peg.

If your ukulele goes out of tune immediately after tuning, check the tuning pegs. Loose friction pegs can be tightened with the small screw on the back. Geared tuners generally hold tune much better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Do After Tuning

Once your ukulele is in tune, you're ready to play. Browse our ukulele chord library with 570+ interactive chord diagrams — tap any chord to hear how it sounds. If you're just starting out, try the beginner-friendly C, Am, F, and G chords. To build your ear for melody and improvisation, explore ukulele scales across the fretboard. And when you're ready to work on your timing, fire up the metronome.

Frequency Reference Table (A=440 Hz)