100% in your browser

Guitar Tuning Library

Guitar Tunings Guide

Compare popular drop, open, lowered, and minor guitar tunings. Each guide includes exact string notes and a tuner preset ready to use.

Choose a guitar tuning

Open a guide to see the target notes, learn how to move from standard tuning, and start the microphone tuner with the correct preset.

Open Guitar Tuner

D2 · A2 · D3 · G3 · B3 · E4

Drop D Tuning

Tune a guitar to Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E), learn which string changes, and open a microphone tuner preset for accurate Drop D tuning.Read guide

C2 · G2 · C3 · F3 · A3 · D4

Drop C Tuning

Tune a 6-string guitar to Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D), follow every target note, and open a preset microphone tuner for Drop C.Read guide

C#2 · G#2 · C#3 · F#3 · A#3 · D#4

Drop C Sharp Tuning

Tune a guitar to Drop C# (C#-G#-C#-F#-A#-D#) with exact string targets and a preset online microphone tuner.Read guide

D#2 · G#2 · C#3 · F#3 · A#3 · D#4

Half Step Down Tuning

Tune every guitar string down a semitone to Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb with exact targets and a preset online tuner.Read guide

D2 · G2 · C3 · F3 · A3 · D4

D Standard Tuning

Tune a guitar one whole step down to D-G-C-F-A-D with exact string targets and a preset D Standard microphone tuner.Read guide

D2 · A2 · D3 · F#3 · A3 · D4

Open D Tuning

Tune guitar to Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D), hear a D major chord on the open strings, and launch a preset microphone tuner.Read guide

D2 · G2 · D3 · G3 · B3 · D4

Open G Tuning

Tune guitar to Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D), follow the exact changes from standard tuning, and open a preset microphone tuner.Read guide

E2 · A2 · C#3 · E3 · A3 · E4

Open A Tuning

Tune guitar to Open A (E-A-C#-E-A-E), understand the target chord, and open a preset microphone tuner for every string.Read guide

C2 · G2 · C3 · G3 · C4 · E4

Open C Tuning

Tune guitar to Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E), view every target note, and start a preset browser tuner for accurate Open C tuning.Read guide

D2 · A2 · D3 · F3 · A3 · D4

DADFAD Tuning

Tune guitar to DADFAD (Open D Minor), follow every target note, and open a preset microphone tuner for D-A-D-F-A-D.Read guide

What Are Alternate Guitar Tunings?

An alternate guitar tuning changes one or more open-string pitches from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. The new interval pattern can extend the low range, create a complete open chord, preserve familiar shapes at a lower pitch, or produce drones that are difficult to play in standard tuning.

Drop tunings

Lower the sixth string relative to the other strings for a deeper bass note and movable one-finger power chords.

Lowered standard tunings

Lower every string by the same interval so familiar chord and scale shapes still work at a lower sounding pitch.

Open tunings

Retune the open strings to form a major, minor, or suspended chord that supports slide playing, drones, and fingerstyle arrangements.

Modal and custom tunings

Change the interval pattern for a specific song, register, drone, or fingering system rather than a complete open chord.

Choose a Guitar Tuning by Sound and Playing Style

Start with the musical result you need, then compare the exact target notes and the amount of retuning required.

Heavy riffs and power chords

Try Drop D, Drop C#, or Drop C for an extended low note and simple root-fifth-octave shapes across the lowest strings.

Lower keys with familiar fingering

Use half step down or D Standard when you want every standard chord and scale shape to sound lower.

Slide and resonant major chords

Open D, Open G, Open A, and Open C turn the unfretted strings into a complete major harmony.

Minor drones and atmospheric parts

DADFAD creates an open D minor chord with repeated D and A notes for fingerstyle, slide, and ambient arrangements.

How to Change Guitar Tuning Safely

Move gradually, monitor string tension, and recheck the complete instrument after every substantial change.

  1. 1

    Confirm the current tuning

    Begin from a known setup, normally standard E-A-D-G-B-E, so every required pitch change is clear.

  2. 2

    Follow the low-to-high targets

    Open the selected guide and tune one string at a time to the displayed note and octave.

  3. 3

    Approach the target gradually

    Avoid sudden large increases in tension. When possible, approach the final pitch from slightly below so the string settles more reliably.

  4. 4

    Repeat the complete guitar

    Changing one string alters total neck and bridge tension, so earlier strings may drift and need another pass.

String Tension, Gauge, and Setup Tips

Occasional alternate tuning usually needs no hardware change, but permanent low or high setups may benefit from adjustment.

Use heavier strings for permanent low tunings

A heavier gauge can restore definition and reduce excessive movement when several strings stay well below standard pitch.

Be cautious when tuning upward

Open tunings that raise multiple strings increase tension. Tune slowly and consider an equivalent lower tuning with a capo when appropriate.

Check intonation and fret buzz

Large tension changes can affect neck relief, action, and intonation even when the open strings read correctly.

Save song-specific presets

Use the linked microphone tuner with the guide's preset so each string target and octave is already selected.

Guitar Tuning Types Compared

These categories describe how the open strings change and which familiar playing relationships remain intact.

How it changesBest for
StandardE-A-D-G-B-EGeneral chords, scales, lessons, and repertoire
DropLowers the sixth string relative to the othersLow riffs, drones, and one-finger power chords
Lowered standardLowers every string by the same intervalLower vocal keys and darker tone with familiar fingering
OpenForms a chord across the unfretted stringsSlide, fingerstyle, drones, and resonant songwriting

The guide pages list notes from the lowest sixth string to the highest first string and open the matching tuner preset.

Tune and Explore Guitar

Use the live tuner for pitch correction, Chromatic mode for custom targets, or chord tools after choosing a tuning.

Guitar Tunings FAQ

What is standard guitar tuning?

Standard 6-string guitar tuning is E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 from the lowest, thickest string to the highest, thinnest string.

Drop D is usually the quickest change because only the sixth string moves, from E2 down to D2. The upper five strings remain in standard tuning.

A drop tuning lowers the sixth string relative to the others. A lowered standard tuning moves every string by the same interval and preserves the complete standard interval pattern.

An open tuning arranges the unfretted strings to form a recognizable chord, such as D major in Open D or G major in Open G.

Drop tunings preserve many upper-string shapes, and lowered standard tunings preserve all standard relationships. Open and custom tunings change intervals, so many chord and scale shapes must be adapted.

Moderate downward changes are generally low risk, but large upward changes increase tension. Tune gradually, use a suitable string gauge, and seek a setup when keeping a substantially different tuning permanently.

Every guide lists notes from the lowest sixth string to the highest first string and includes octave numbers to prevent tuning to the wrong register.

Yes. Each guide links to the Online Guitar Tuner with the matching tuning preset selected, so you can play each open string and follow the cents reading.