Online 12-string guitar tuner
In standard tuning, the courses (pairs of strings) of the 12-string guitar, from course 6 to course 1, are E2/E3 A2/A3 D3/D4 G3/G4 B3/B3 E4/E4, thick string before thin, with concert A (A4) at 440 Hz. The lowest note is E2, at 82.41 Hz, and the highest is G4, at 392.00 Hz. On courses 6, 5, 4, 3, the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one; on courses 2, 1, both strings play the same note (unison).
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— Hz — cents
Tap “Turn on tuner” and allow the microphone.
On octave pairs, the upper string is the thin one and the lower string the thick one. Tune one string at a time, muting the other one of the pair with a finger.
Standard tuning
Standard 12-string guitar tuning: the notes of a regular guitar in 6 pairs. On the 4 lower courses the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one; on the 2 higher courses both strings play the same note.
Notes: E2/E3 A2/A3 D3/D4 G3/G4 B3/B3 E4/E4.
How to tune the 12-string guitar
The 12-string guitar has 6 courses (pairs) with the notes of a regular guitar. On the 4 lower courses (6th to 3rd), the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one; on the 2 higher courses (2nd and 1st), both strings play the same note. On most 12-strings the thin string sits on the upper side of the pair, so the pick hits it first on a downstroke (some electric 12-strings, such as Rickenbackers, reverse this). Tune one string at a time, muting the other one of the pair, and check the octave number next to the note: the thin string of the 3rd course (G4) is the highest open note on the guitar, higher than the 1st course (E4), so bring it up slowly.
Notes and frequencies of each string
| Course | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6, thick string | E2 | 82.41 Hz |
| 6, thin string | E3 | 164.81 Hz |
| 5, thick string | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 5, thin string | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| 4, thick string | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 4, thin string | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 3, thick string | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 3, thin string | G4 | 392.00 Hz |
| 2, both strings | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1, both strings | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
How to use it
Tap “Turn on tuner”, allow the microphone and play one open string at a time. The tuner recognises the string and shows whether to tighten it (it is flat) or loosen it (it is sharp). Tap a string name to lock onto it and hear the reference note.
Frequently asked questions
What are the open-string notes of 12-string guitar in standard tuning?
From course 6 to course 1 (thick string/thin string): E2/E3 A2/A3 D3/D4 G3/G4 B3/B3 E4/E4.
What is the frequency of the lowest note in this tuning?
It is E2, at 82.41 Hz (with concert A at 440 Hz). The highest is G4, at 392.00 Hz.
How do I tune the 12-string guitar?
The 12-string guitar has 6 courses (pairs) with the notes of a regular guitar. On the 4 lower courses (6th to 3rd), the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one; on the 2 higher courses (2nd and 1st), both strings play the same note. On most 12-strings the thin string sits on the upper side of the pair, so the pick hits it first on a downstroke (some electric 12-strings, such as Rickenbackers, reverse this). Tune one string at a time, muting the other one of the pair, and check the octave number next to the note: the thin string of the 3rd course (G4) is the highest open note on the guitar, higher than the 1st course (E4), so bring it up slowly.
Does the tuner work offline?
Yes. After the first visit (or once installed as an app), the pages open without a connection and pitch detection happens on your device.
What are cents?
A cent is one hundredth of a semitone. Up to 5 cents off is barely audible; the needle turns green in that range.
Can I change the reference A?
Yes: the − and + buttons set A4 anywhere from 430 to 450 Hz, to play along with a piano or a recording tuned differently. Your choice is saved.
Does the microphone record what I play?
No. The sound is analysed on the fly, inside the browser, and is never recorded or sent anywhere.