How to Tune a Guitar With a Tuner
Your browser microphone does the listening. Allow mic access, play each string, and watch the tuner tell you exactly which way to turn the peg.
SIGNAL STRENGTH: OPTIMAL | BUFFER: READY | LATENCY: 12ms
This is what the tuner reads when every string is correctly tuned to Standard (EADGBE). Each row shows In Tune and the needle rests at center.
Tune Your Guitar With a Mic Tuner: Six Steps
Each step is one action. The done-signal tells you when to move on.
Allow microphone access
Click Allow when your browser asks for microphone permission.
Done when:
The tuner card becomes active and shows a note name and a pitch needle. If the browser does not ask, check that no other tab is using the mic.
Select Standard tuning
In the tuner's Settings panel, confirm the tuning is set to Standard (EADGBE). This is the default setting.
Done when:
The Settings panel shows Standard selected.
Play the low E string (String 6)
Pluck string 6 — the thickest string — cleanly, once. Let it ring. Do not touch any other string.
Done when:
The tuner displays E2 and the needle moves to center with an In Tune status. Turn pegs in small increments.
Tune the remaining five strings in order
Repeat the process for A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4. Wait for the needle to settle before making adjustments.
Done when:
Each string shows its target note with the needle at center before you move to the next.
Recheck strings 6 and 5
Adjusting later strings can slightly shift the tension on earlier ones. Go back and pluck 6 and 5 again.
Done when:
String 6 still shows E2 In Tune and string 5 still shows A2 In Tune.
Play a chord to confirm
Strum a G major or E minor chord. Listen for a clear, even sound without any beating or wavering.
Done when:
The chord sounds clear and even. If one note sounds off, fine-tune that specific string.
Four Mistakes That Throw Off the Tuner
Device on silent
The mic picks up acoustic sound. If volume is at zero, the tuner may not detect the note properly.
Multiple strings
The tuner reads the loudest pitch. If two strings ring at once, it may latch onto the wrong one.
Background noise
Traffic or TV can confuse the pitch detector. Move to the quietest spot available.
Turning too far
Large movements overshoot the target. Make small quarter-turn adjustments and repluck.
How a Browser Mic Tuner Works
When you allow microphone access, the tuner uses the Web Audio API built into your browser to capture the sound from your guitar. It runs a pitch-detection algorithm in real time to identify frequencies.
The audio never leaves your device. Nothing is recorded, stored, or uploaded. The tuner processes sound locally in the browser tab and stops the moment you close or navigate away.
GuitarTuner.io works on desktop and mobile browsers that support microphone access—including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
All Six Strings in Tune: Your Final Check
- String 6 (low E) shows E2 — needle at center, In Tune
- String 5 (A) shows A2 — needle at center, In Tune
- String 4 (D) shows D3 — needle at center, In Tune
- String 3 (G) shows G3 — needle at center, In Tune
- String 2 (B) shows B3 — needle at center, In Tune
- String 1 (high E) shows E4 — needle at center, In Tune
- Played an open chord and it sounded clean and even
Once every box is checked, your guitar is ready to play.
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Guitar Tuning Questions
- Do I need to create an account?
- No. The tuner at GuitarTuner.io is completely free and requires no account, email address, or login. Open the page and start tuning.
- Does the tuner work on a phone?
- Yes. The browser tuner works on iPhone (Safari) and Android (Chrome). Hold the phone near the soundhole while plucking each string.
- What is standard guitar tuning?
- Standard tuning is E A D G B E (E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4). It is the most common tuning for acoustic and electric guitar.
- Can I tune an electric guitar the same way?
- Yes. An electric guitar produces enough acoustic sound from the strings to be detected by a microphone. Unplugged is fine.
- How often should I tune?
- Tune before every practice session. Temperature changes, humidity, and playing affect string tension over time.
- What if the tuner shows the wrong string?
- The tuner reads whatever note is loudest. Ensure only one string is ringing and wait for the pitch to settle.