Ukulele Tuner

The commonly found types of ukuleles are:

1. Soprano Ukuleles are the most common type and also the smallest. With a short scale length of 21”, they have a higher pitch than other ukuleles. They usually have 12-15 frets and are typically tuned to gCEA.


2. Concert Ukuleles are a little bigger with a scale length of 23” and 14-17 frets. They produce a louder and more rounded sound than sopranos. The larger fret spacing makes them a bit easier to play as well. They are commonly tuned to gCEA.


3. Tenor Ukuleles are even bigger, with a scale length of 26” and over 19 frets. This results in a rich, full-bodied sound and is commonly used by performing artists. These can be tuned to gCEA or GCEA.


4. Baritone Ukuleles have a scale length above 30”, and are tuned in DGBE - similar to the last four strings of a guitar. This gives it a deep, resonant sound with enhanced bass. Very popular amongst guitarists due to the similar tuning. This tuning is also referred to as ‘Chicago Tuning’.

Bass ukuleles are essentially small, acoustic bass guitars adapted from baritone ukuleles. They use polyurethane strings, which can be tuned to the same octave as a bass guitar - E1, A1, D2, G2. Polyurethane strings have a similar sound to an upright bass, making them increasingly popular among bass players.

Any ukulele type can be used with this tuning tool, and it supports 3 standard tunings:

• Re-entrant - gCEA


• Low G - GCEA


• Baritone - DGBE

If you’d like to tune to a non-standard tuning, you can use our pitch detector tool instead.

The standard ukulele tunings for the common ukulele types are:

Some ukulele players prefer alternate tunings to bring a different tonal quality to their sound. Some of the common alternate tunings and variations are:

1. D Tuning: Here, the ukulele strings are tuned to A4–D4–F♯4–B4. This is one step higher than gCEA and has a sweeter sound. It is very popular in Hawaiian music.


2. Canadian Tuning: A3–D4–F♯4–B4. This is a variation of D tuning, with the fourth string tuned one octave lower.


3. Bass Tuning: Bass ukuleles are tuned to E1–A1–D2–G2 using polyurethane strings. This allows the ukulele to sound like a contrabass.


4. Sopranino Tuning: D5–G4–B4–E5. This is another re-entrant tuning that’s used on sopranino ukuleles, which are tiny and have a scale length of just 11 inches. This results in a very sweet, high-pitched tonality.


5. A#/Bb Tuning: F4-A#3-D4-G4. This tuning is achieved by going one whole step lower from the standard gCEA. This is helpful for certain songs with a lower timbre.

You can tune a ukulele using a variety of tools:

1. Vibration-based Tuners: These tuners measure the vibrations created by the strings. They clip onto the headstock of the ukulele and use piezo sensors to pick up the vibrations in the wood when you pluck a string. They are very affordable and accurate.


2. Microphone-based Tuners: These tuners use a microphone to capture the sound of the ukulele and then determine its pitch via an algorithm. These are very common and can be found as clip-on tuners, mobile apps, web apps, and more.


3. By Ear: Tuning by ear is difficult and not recommended by beginners, but this is a great way to musically train your ears and improve your understanding of pitch. You can check our guide below on how to tune your ukulele by ear.

If you don't have a tuner to hand you can try tuning your ukulele by ear! Relative tuning by ear is a great way to improve your pitch recognition and musical ability. To tune your ukulele by ear, we must first assume one string to be perfectly in tune. Let’s assume this to be the ‘A’ string.
For practice, we recommend tuning the ‘A’ string via our online tuner, and then following these steps:

1. Start by plucking the E string with your finger on the 5th fret, which should be an A note. Pluck the A string and E string alternately. Adjust the tuning pegs on the E string until it sounds the same as the A string.


2. Then put your finger on the 4th fret of the C string - this note should be an E. Pluck the C string and E string, and tune the C string until it sounds the same as the E string.


3. Now put your finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. This note should be an A. Pluck the G string and A string alternately, and tune the G string until it sounds the same as the A string.

Fret not! Ukuleles can lose their tune over time, just like all other stringed instruments. This happens when the tension in the strings changes due to external factors. A good-quality ukulele is less likely to lose tune as they are constructed better with very sturdy tuning pegs. But here are some tips to make your ukulele stay in tune for longer:

• After tuning the ukulele perfectly, stretch your strings. Simply pull the strings towards you a few times, and let them snap back into place. Repeat this process while tuning the strings to set the correct tension.


• If your ukulele has old strings, consider changing the strings and buying a premium set. Good strings will last longer, sound better, and are likely to maintain their tension and stay in tune.


• Store the ukulele properly when it’s not being used. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity are major reasons for ukes to go out of tune.


• And finally, if your ukulele really won’t stay in tune, consider upgrading to a better model with high-quality tuners. If your model is already great, you can swap the tuning pegs out for new ones too.