Standard Guitar Tuning: E A D G B E

Standard tuning, from the thickest string (6) to the thinnest (1), is E A D G B E. In scientific pitch that is E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4: the two E strings are exactly two octaves apart. To tune a guitar to it, bring the low E to pitch first, then tune A, D, G, B and high E in turn, with a tuner or by ear.

Strings 6 → 1: E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4
From standard: This is the reference
Open strings: not a chord

Tuner · Standard

A4 · 440 Hz

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Mic off

±0 ¢

Auto string detect

Uses your microphone. Audio stays on this device. No mic? Tap a string to hear its note.

TuningE A D G B E

Strings · tap to hear

Standard tuning notes and frequencies

String 6 (thickest): E2 · 82.41 Hz
String 5: A2 · 110.00 Hz
String 4: D3 · 146.83 Hz
String 3: G3 · 196.00 Hz
String 2: B3 · 246.94 Hz
String 1 (thinnest): E4 · 329.63 Hz

Already in Drop D (D A D G B E)? Only string 6 changes: D2 → E2, up 2 semitones (whole step).

The tuner above is locked to E A D G B E, so each string reads against its own target. Tap a string button to hear its note.

Standard tuning (E A D G B E) chords

Frets are listed from string 6 to string 1 (× = do not play). The notes line is what each string sounds in this tuning.

G · open

Frets 3 2 0 0 0 3

G B D G B G

I (home chord). All six strings ring. Middle finger on string 6, index on string 5, ring finger on string 1.

C · open

Frets × 3 2 0 1 0

× C E G C E

IV. Skip string 6. Keep the fingers arched so the open G and E strings ring.

D · open

Frets × × 0 2 3 2

× × D A D F♯

V. Strum from string 4 only. The open D string is the root.

Em · two fingers

Frets 0 2 2 0 0 0

E B E G B E

vi. The easiest full chord on the guitar: two fingers on fret 2, all six strings.

Am · open

Frets × 0 2 2 1 0

× A E A C E

ii. Same finger shape as E major, moved one string higher. Skip string 6.

These five are the chords of G major: G C D Em Am. A capo moves them all at once (capo 2 turns them into A D E F♯m Bm), which is how one set of shapes covers most keys.

Why the strings are tuned E A D G B E

Each string is five frets (a perfect fourth) above the one below it, except one gap: G to B is four frets, a major third. Fourths keep a whole scale within reach of four fingers without shifting, which is why the bass strings and most of the neck follow that pattern.

The single major third is there so chords fit the hand. With fourths all the way across, the top string would be F, not E, and the familiar open shapes (E, A, D, G, C) would not ring true. The B string pulls the top two strings back so the open shapes work and the outer strings are both E.

Played together, the six open strings are not a chord. They spell E, A, D, G and B, a stack of fourths that sounds unresolved. That is the trade standard tuning makes: no free open chord, but every chord and scale shape works in every key with the same fingerings.

What standard tuning is used for

Nearly everything. Chord charts, chord diagrams and most lessons assume standard tuning unless they say otherwise, so it is the tuning to be in when you learn a song from a chord sheet. Acoustic and electric guitars use the same standard tuning.

It is also the reference point for every other tuning: "drop D", "open G" or "half step down" all describe how far each string moves from E A D G B E. The retune steps on each tuning page start from here.

Getting and staying in standard tuning

Tune the low E first, then each string against it or against the tuner. With a tuner, pluck one string at a time and turn its peg until the reading sits on the note. By ear, use the fifth-fret method: fret 5 of each string gives the next open string up, except on the G string, where fret 4 gives B. Strings that come up to pitch hold better than strings pushed past the note and let back down.

Coming back from an alternate tuning, raise or lower the changed strings, then check all six again: changing several strings shifts the tension on the neck and pulls the others slightly.

Some players tune every string down by the same amount and still call the shapes by their standard names: half step down (E♭) and whole step down (D standard, D G C F A D) keep all the standard fingerings, just lower.

FAQ

Which string is string 1?

String 1 is the thinnest string, the high E (E4), nearest the floor when you hold the guitar. String 6 is the thickest, the low E (E2). Chord diagrams and tabs number them the same way.

Why is the B string tuned differently?

Every other neighbouring pair is five frets apart; G to B is four. That one major third makes the open chord shapes work and puts both outer strings on E. It is also why the fifth-fret tuning method uses fret 4 on string 3.

Is E standard the same as standard tuning?

Yes. "E standard" is a name used to tell it apart from lowered versions such as E♭ standard (half step down) and D standard (whole step down), which keep the same intervals at a lower pitch.

Is standard tuning the same on acoustic and electric guitar?

Yes. Both use E A D G B E at the same pitches. Classical guitars use it too; only the strings and the string tension differ.

The key of G majorthe first key most players learn
The key of E minortwo open strings are its root
Guitar tunerswitch tunings, or tune back to standard
Capo calculator and chord transposercapo shapes for any key
Chord finder (chord namer)name a shape you find in this tuning
All guitar tuningsopen, drop and modal, compared