A ukulele has four strings, tuned to G – C – E – A (from the one nearest your face to the one nearest the floor). Here is the fastest way to get there, with a clip-on tuner, an app, or by ear.
The four strings
- 4th string: G (the string closest to your face, tuned higher than the C)
- 3rd string: C (the lowest note)
- 2nd string: E
- 1st string: A (the string closest to the floor)
Remember it with: Good Cats Eat Anything.
How to tune a ukulele, step by step
- Open your tuner. Use a clip-on, or a tuner app like Uku. Make sure it is set to standard GCEA tuning.
- Pluck one open string. Play it cleanly and let it ring. Avoid fretting it.
- Read the result. If the tuner says flat, the pitch is too low. Tighten the string. If sharp, loosen it.
- Turn the peg slowly. Small turns work best. Pluck again after each one.
- Repeat for every string, then go around once more, because changing one string slightly shifts the others.
Tips for staying in tune
- Always tune up to the note. If you overshoot, go below the note and tighten up to it again. The string holds better.
- Stretch new strings. Gently pull each new string a few times, then retune. Repeat until it stops dropping.
- Mind the weather. Heat, cold and humidity all move the pitch.
- Pluck at normal volume. Hitting the string too hard pushes it sharp for a moment.
Tuning by ear (without a tuner)
Tune one string to a reference such as a piano or a pitch pipe, usually the A (A4 = 440 Hz). Then press the 5th fret of the E string to match the open A. Press the 4th fret of the C string to match the open E. Press the 2nd fret of the G string to match the open A. This is handy, but a tuner is quicker and more accurate when you are starting out.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard ukulele strings?
Standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A, from the string nearest your face to the one nearest the floor. The G is tuned higher than the C (re-entrant tuning), which gives the ukulele its bright, jangly sound.
Is tuning the same for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles?
Yes. Soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles all use standard GCEA tuning. Baritone ukuleles are tuned differently (D-G-B-E), so a GCEA tuner will not match them.
How often should I tune my ukulele?
Every time you pick it up. Nylon strings stretch and drift with temperature and humidity, and new strings can need retuning for the first week or two.
Why does my ukulele go out of tune so quickly?
Usually new strings that are still stretching, or temperature and humidity changes. Tune up, stretch each string gently, retune, and it will settle within days.
Can I tune a ukulele with my phone?
Yes. A tuner app such as Uku listens through the microphone and shows whether each string is flat or sharp. It works offline.
Tune it, then play it
Tuned up? Try the 30 essential ukulele chords.
Uku is a free Android ukulele tuner that shows one calm shape and tells you which way to turn the peg. It works offline.
Get Uku on Google Play