Banjo tuner
Tune your banjo 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 banjo tuning
A 5-string banjo is usually tuned to open G: g D G B D. The short 5th string is the high g, tuned above the others, and is played as a drone.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 5th (thickest) | G4 | 392.00 Hz |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
Frequencies assume the standard reference pitch of A4 = 440 Hz.
How to tune a banjo
- Tap Use microphone and allow access when your browser asks.
- Start with the 4th string, D, and tune it until it turns green.
- Tune the 3rd (G), 2nd (B) and 1st (D) strings the same way.
- Finally tune the short 5th string, the high g. Banjo heads react to temperature, so retune often.
Banjo tunings
Pick any of these from the tuning menu above the meter.
| Tuning | Notes | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Open G | G D G B D | g D G B D, the standard 5-string tuning for bluegrass. |
| Double C | G C G C D | g C G C D, popular for old-time and clawhammer. |
| Open D | F♯ D F♯ A D | f♯ D F♯ A D, a bright open D chord. |
| Tenor | C G D A | C G D A, for 4-string tenor banjo, a fifth apart like a viola. |
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Banjo tuner questions
What are the banjo string notes?
Standard open G tuning is g D G B D, from the 5th string to the 1st. The 5th string is the short one, tuned high.
Can I tune a 4-string banjo with this?
Yes. Choose Tenor in the tuning menu for C G D A.
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.