Online ukulele tuner

Ukulele string notes

Frequencies are calculated with the reference A at 440 Hz. If your group tunes to a different reference, such as 442 Hz, adjust it with the − and + buttons next to “A = 440 Hz” and the tuner shifts every note.

The 4th string (G4) sounds higher than the 3rd (C4): this is a reentrant tuning. The ukulele's lowest note is on the 3rd string, not the 4th.

Why the 4th string is high

In reentrant tuning, the four strings sit within a very narrow range, less than an octave between the lowest and the highest. That's why ukulele chords sound compact and bright, and why strumming doesn't aim for a deep bass like on the guitar.

How to check your ukulele by ear

Once the 3rd string (C) is in tune, check the rest against reference frets. Because the tuning is reentrant, the 4th string is compared with the fretted 3rd, not the other way around:

Low G and baritone ukulele

This tuner is set up for standard tuning. For low G or baritone, use the chromatic tuner and look for the notes in the table.

How to tune your ukulele with this tuner

1. Tap Enable microphone and accept the browser's permission request. The sound is analyzed on your device: it isn't recorded or sent anywhere.
2. Leave the tuner on Auto so it recognizes which string you're playing, or tap a note to lock it (tap it again to go back to Auto).
3. Play a single open string with medium force and let it ring.
4. If the needle is to the left, the note is flat: tune up. If it's to the right, tune down. Anywhere between −5 and +5 cents counts as in tune.
5. Once a string stays in tune for a moment, its button gets a green check mark. Keep going until every string has one.
6. Use the speaker icon under each note to hear the reference and train your ear.
7. Go over every string again at the end: the tension of some strings shifts the others slightly.

Tips for tuning your ukulele

• The 4th string (G) is higher than the 3rd: this is the 'reentrant' tuning that gives the ukulele its typical sound.
• Nylon strings stretch a lot at first; tune several times per practice session during the first week.
• If your ukulele goes from a cold place to a warm one, wait a few minutes before tuning.
• Check the open chord: in standard tuning, the four strings together form a C6 chord (C, E, G, A).

Common tuning problems

• The needle jumps between notes: play a single string, a little more softly, and wait for the sound to settle. The first instant of every note always sounds slightly sharp.
• It doesn't pick up the low strings: phone microphones struggle with low frequencies. Hold your phone closer to the instrument or play the harmonic at the middle of the string (12th fret): the tuner recognizes it as the same string and tells you it sounds an octave higher.
• The open strings are in tune, but what you play sounds off: check that no string is in the wrong octave and that your strings aren't old. If it still sounds wrong, ask your teacher or a luthier to check the instrument's intonation.
• It goes out of tune right away: new strings keep stretching for several days, and changes in temperature and humidity shift the tuning. Tune in the same place where you're going to play.
• The browser doesn't ask for the microphone: check the site permissions in your browser settings and make sure no other app is using the microphone.

Frequently asked questions