Ukulele Tuner

This online ukulele tuner opens with Ukulele already selected, so you can start tuning straight away. Play one string, and the tuner works out whether it's your G, C, E or A string and tells you to tune up or down. It works for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles in standard tuning.

Standard ukulele tuning: G C E A

Hold the ukulele as if you're about to play. The string nearest your face is the 4th string, G, and the one nearest the floor is the 1st string, A. A popular way to remember it is "Good Cats Eat Apples", or sing the notes to the tune of "My Dog Has Fleas".

High G or low G?

Most ukuleles use re-entrant tuning: the G string is tuned higher than the C next to it. That's what gives the ukulele its bright, sparkly strum. Some players, especially on tenor ukuleles, fit a thicker low G string (G3) for a fuller, deeper sound. Both are standard GCEA; if you have a low G string, the tuner still shows G, just an octave lower. For a baritone ukulele, which is tuned differently, use the baritone ukulele tuner.

Tips for tuning a ukulele

• New strings stretch. Nylon and fluorocarbon strings keep going flat for the first few days. Tune every time you pick up the ukulele, and gently pull each string away from the fretboard to help it settle.
• Tune up to the note. If a string is sharp, loosen it below the note and come back up.
• Tune in a quiet room and hold your phone near the soundhole.
• Check with a chord. Strum C (third fret on the A string). If it sounds sweet, you're ready to play.

Tune by ear

Scroll down to Tune by ear, tap a string to hear its note, and match your ukulele to it. It's great practice for young players and a useful backup when your microphone isn't available. Once you're tuned, learn your first four ukulele chords or read tuning and strumming the ukulele.