Standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A, with a high re-entrant G that gives the uke its bright, jangly voice.
Tuning is the first thing every ukulele player needs to learn, because an out-of-tune uke makes even correct chords sound wrong and is the most common reason beginners get discouraged. The good news is that the ukulele is one of the easiest instruments to tune, with only four strings and a standard tuning that is quick to set with a clip-on tuner or an app. The one quirk that surprises newcomers is re-entrant tuning: the top string is not the lowest in pitch, which gives the ukulele its distinctive bright, chiming sound. This guide covers standard GCEA tuning, how to use a tuner, and how to keep your uke in tune.
Standard tuning for the common soprano, concert and tenor ukulele is G-C-E-A. Reading from the string closest to the ceiling (the fourth string) down to the one closest to the floor (the first string), the strings are tuned G, C, E and A. The C is the lowest-pitched string, and the A is the highest.
The surprise is the G string. In standard 're-entrant' tuning, the fourth string G is tuned high — higher in pitch than the C and E next to it — rather than being the lowest note as you might expect. This high-G is what gives the ukulele its signature bright, jangly, harp-like sound. Some players prefer a 'low-G' setup with a thicker string for a deeper range, but high-G re-entrant is the traditional standard.
The easiest and most accurate way to tune is with a chromatic clip-on tuner that attaches to the headstock and reads the string's vibration, or a reliable tuning app that listens through your device's microphone. Clip-on tuners are inexpensive and work well even in noisy rooms because they sense vibration rather than sound.
Pluck one string at a time and watch the tuner. It shows the note you are nearest and whether you are flat (too low) or sharp (too high). Turn the tuning peg slowly until the tuner reads the target note (G, C, E or A) and shows it centred or in tune. Always tune up to the note from below where possible, as this holds tuning better than tuning down to it.
It is worth learning to tune by ear as a backup and to train your hearing. Get one reliable reference pitch — from a piano, another tuned instrument, an app or a pitch pipe — and tune one string to it, then tune the rest relative to that string by matching fretted notes.
A common method: the C string at the fourth fret produces an E, which you match to your open E string; the E string at the third fret produces a G to check against the open G; and the G string at the second fret produces an A to match the open A string. Because of the high-G, these relationships can feel unusual at first, but they let you tune the whole uke from a single reference.
Brand-new ukulele strings, especially the nylon strings most ukuleles use, stretch a lot before they settle. For the first few days or even weeks of playing, a new uke will drift out of tune constantly as the strings stretch and stabilise. This is completely normal and not a fault with the instrument.
You can speed up the process by gently stretching each string with your fingers after tuning, then retuning, repeating until it holds better. Be patient — once the strings have settled, the uke will hold tune far longer. Temperature and humidity changes also affect tuning, so expect to make small adjustments each time you pick it up.
Standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A from the top string (nearest the ceiling) to the bottom. Remember the G is a high re-entrant string, higher in pitch than the C and E beside it.
Attach a chromatic clip-on tuner to the headstock, or open a reliable tuning app. Clip-on tuners read string vibration and work well even in noisy rooms.
Pluck the third string and adjust its peg until the tuner reads C. This is the lowest-pitched string and a good anchor to start from.
Tune the second string to E and the first string to A. Then tune the fourth string up to a high G — higher in pitch than the C and E, which is the re-entrant standard.
Where possible, approach each note from below by tuning up to it rather than down. Tuning up holds far better than letting a string drop to pitch from above.
If the uke is new, gently stretch each string with your fingers, then retune. Repeat several times to help nylon strings settle, since new strings drift constantly until they stabilise.
Play through the strings and a couple of chords, then fine-tune any that have drifted. Recheck each time you play, as temperature and humidity affect tuning.
Standard tuning for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles is G-C-E-A, read from the top string (nearest the ceiling) to the bottom. The C is the lowest-pitched string and the A is the highest. The G is a 're-entrant' high string, tuned higher than the C and E beside it, which gives the ukulele its bright, jangly character.
That is re-entrant tuning, the traditional standard for the ukulele. Instead of the strings running low to high in order, the fourth-string G is tuned high — above the C and E. This produces the uke's signature bright, chiming, harp-like sound. Some players use a thicker 'low-G' string for more range, but high-G re-entrant is the classic setup.
New strings, especially the nylon strings most ukuleles use, stretch a lot before they settle, so a new uke drifts out of tune constantly for the first few days or weeks. This is normal. Speed it up by gently stretching each string with your fingers and retuning repeatedly. Once the strings settle, it will hold tune much better.
A clip-on chromatic tuner or a tuning app is the easiest and most accurate way, and they are inexpensive. You can also tune by ear from a single reference note by matching fretted notes between strings — for example, the C string at the fourth fret matches the open E string. Learning both is useful, but a tuner is the reliable everyday option.
Soft strings, four of them, and chords that take one or two fingers. The ukulele is the friendliest way into making music.
The ukulele is one of the friendliest first instruments — pick the right size and a properly set-up one and you will be playing songs in days.
The ukulele gets you playing songs faster; the guitar opens more doors later. Both are honest choices.
Standard tuning is six notes — E A D G B E, lowest to highest. A clip-on tuner and a habit of tuning up to pitch is all it takes.
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