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Free guitar and ukulele tuner
The same tuner we reach for behind the counter in Hilo, now in your browser. Pick your instrument, pluck a string, and follow the needle. No mic? Tune by ear with a reference tone for every string.
Big Island tuner
mic off
Ready when you are.
Hit start and the tuner listens through your microphone, names the note you play, and shows how close you are on the needle. Everything happens right here in your browser: nothing is recorded, saved or sent anywhere.
Prefer to skip the mic? Tune by ear with the reference tones below.
String targets · tap to hear the tone
Tune the guitar low to high: E A D G B E. Hold a string within 5 cents for a second and it stamps LOCKED IN. No mic needed for the tones, so you can always tune by ear.
Two minute lesson
How to tune a ukulele
From the string closest to your face down to the floor, a ukulele tunes to G, C, E, A. And here is the part that surprises everybody: that G is a high g, tuned above the C sitting next to it. On purpose. That is re-entrant tuning, the ukulele's signature bright sound.
Strings slipping the second you stop turning the peg? Bring it by the shop. Sometimes a five minute fix is all it needs.
Tuning a guitar instead?
The exact same moves apply, just with six strings tuned E A D G B E from the thickest string down. The tuner up top hears both.
- Know your string namesStandard ukulele tuning from the string closest to your chin down to the floor is G, C, E, A. Remember the G is the high one, tuned above the C. Say each name as you pluck so the rest of tuning goes quicker.
- Start the tuner and pluck the G stringPress Start the tuner and allow the microphone. Pluck the top string (G) on its own, close to the mic, and watch the needle.
- Tune up to the note, not downIf the needle sits left of center the string is flat: tighten the peg a little. If it sits right, the string is sharp: loosen below the note, then come back up. Tuning up to pitch helps the string hold.
- Hold it steady until it locksKeep the string ringing within 5 cents of center for a second and the tuner stamps LOCKED IN. Then move on to C, E and A the same way.
- Double-check the first stringNew strings stretch, so once all four are done, go back and check the G string again. A quick second pass and you are ready to play.
In tune but still sounding dull?
Strings dead? A fresh set changes everything.
If your strings sound flat and lifeless even when the needle says you are in tune, they are probably worn out. Bring your instrument by the shop. A string change is $20 plus strings, and a proper setup can make the whole thing feel new again. Then go play something: our free chord library and chords-only song lessons are waiting.