Mandolin tuner
Tune your mandolin online with your phone or laptop microphone, with several tunings. Tap Use microphone, play one string at a time, and follow the meter until each note turns green. Nothing to download.
Standard mandolin tuning
Mandolins are tuned G D A E, from the lowest to the highest, the same as a violin. Each note is a pair of strings tuned to exactly the same pitch.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (thickest) | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 3rd | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 2nd | A4 | 440.00 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | E5 | 659.26 Hz |
Frequencies assume the standard reference pitch of A4 = 440 Hz.
How to tune a mandolin
- Tap Use microphone and allow access when your browser asks.
- Pluck one string of the lowest G pair and tune it until it turns green.
- Tune the second string of the pair the same way, so both match exactly.
- Repeat for the D, A and E pairs. A pair that is slightly out sounds wobbly, so take your time.
Mandolin tunings
Pick any of these from the tuning menu above the meter.
| Tuning | Notes | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | G D A E | G D A E, the same as a violin. |
| Cross tuning | G D G D | G D G D, for a ringing, old-time fiddle sound. |
Gear that helps
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Mandolin tuner questions
What are the mandolin string notes?
From the lowest to the highest: G, D, A and E, the same as a violin. Each note has two strings tuned in unison.
How do I tune the string pairs?
Tune one string of each pair at a time, plucking only that string. When both strings of a pair read green, the pair is in tune.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It works in Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android, as well as desktop browsers. Hold the phone close to the instrument and allow microphone access when asked.
Why can't the tuner hear me?
Usually the browser hasn't been given access to the microphone, or it is listening to a different input. The tuner will tell you which, and how to fix it. Play one string at a time, close to the device.
Is my audio recorded?
No. The sound is analysed on your own device in real time. Nothing is recorded, stored or uploaded.