How to Tune a Ukulele

A beginner-friendly G4–C4–E4–A4 sequence with string order, octave checks, small peg movements, and guidance for Low G and baritone instruments.

High G, Low G, and baritone are not interchangeable

A standard high G is G4 at 392 Hz; Low G is G3 at 196 Hz. A baritone usually uses D3–G3–B3–E4. If a string feels unusually tight or the octave does not match the installed set, stop rather than tightening until the note name alone appears.

Standard high-G ukulele tuning

4th / nearest face

G4

392.00 Hz

3rd

C4

261.63 Hz

2nd

E4

329.63 Hz

1st / nearest floor

A4

440.00 Hz

Tune GCEA step by step

  1. 1

    Identify the ukulele and string set

    Most soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles use re-entrant G4–C4–E4–A4. A Low G set uses G3 instead of G4, and a baritone normally uses D3–G3–B3–E4. Confirm the instrument and installed strings before adding tension.

  2. 2

    Read the strings in physical order

    In playing position, the 4th string is nearest your face and the 1st is nearest the floor. Standard order is G4, C4, E4, A4 in that direction. Because G4 is re-entrant, the pitches do not simply rise from the 4th string to the 1st.

  3. 3

    Start with the 4th-string G

    Select standard high G or Low G to match the string. Pluck the open string gently, let the attack settle, and confirm G4 for standard or G3 for Low G before tightening. Those targets are one octave apart.

  4. 4

    Approach the target from below

    If a string is sharp, loosen it a little below the target, then raise the pitch slowly. Watch which way the post turns and make small movements; tuner placement differs, so memorizing one clockwise direction for every peg is unreliable.

  5. 5

    Tune C4, E4, and A4 one at a time

    Mute the other strings and read the sustained center of each note. Standard and Low G share the same C4, E4, and A4 targets. Select a string manually if the detector follows a neighboring string or harmonic.

  6. 6

    Stretch, settle, and recheck GCEA

    Nylon and fluorocarbon strings continue stretching after installation. Gently lift each new string only as its maker recommends, retune, play for a few minutes, and repeat. Check all four again before performing because temperature and normal playing also move pitch.

Standard high G versus Low G

Low G changes the 4th string from G4 to G3 while leaving C4, E4, and A4 alone. It normally requires a string designed for that lower pitch. Simply loosening a standard high-G string an octave usually produces poor tension and tone; tightening a Low G to G4 risks excessive tension.

D tuning raises every standard string

A4–D4–F#4–B4 is one whole step above standard high-G GCEA. Do not assume every instrument and string set is intended for that added tension. Check the ukulele or string maker's guidance; use appropriate strings or a lower-tension approach when D tuning is required.

Get a steadier microphone reading

  • Pluck one open string and stop the other three from ringing sympathetically.
  • Use a normal, gentle attack and read after the first pitch wobble settles.
  • Move away from voices, television, fans, and other instruments.
  • Place the device close enough for a clear signal but not against the vibrating body.
  • Select the intended string manually if auto-detection follows a harmonic.
  • Confirm G4 versus G3 and the other octave labels before turning a peg farther.

Start with the standard GCEA tuner

Select the matching preset, pluck one open string, and confirm the octave before tightening.

Open the GCEA tunerDiagnose a tuning problem