How to tune an instrument
- Choose your instrument, or Chromatic to find any note. Check that the A4 reference matches what you want.
- Press Start tuner and allow the microphone.
- Play one string. The needle shows how many cents you are from the target note: left is flat, right is sharp.
- Adjust the tuning peg until the needle sits in the middle and the note turns green. Repeat for each string.
A cent is one hundredth of a semitone. Most listeners cannot hear a difference under 5 cents. Tuning works best when you tune up to the note from below, which keeps the string tight on its peg.
Questions
Is my microphone recording or uploaded?
No. The sound from the microphone is analyzed live in this tab to find its pitch and is thrown away straight away. It is never recorded, stored, or sent anywhere, and it is not played through your speakers.
Why does it ask for microphone permission?
The browser requires your permission before any page can hear the microphone. Press Allow when asked. If you blocked it by mistake, use the lock icon in the address bar to allow the microphone, then press Start again.
How do I tune my guitar?
Choose your instrument, press Start, and pluck one open string at a time. The tuner finds the closest string. If the needle is left of center, the string is flat and you should tighten it. If right, it is sharp, so loosen it. The note turns green when you are within 5 cents.
What is the A4 reference?
It is the frequency of the A above middle C. Standard tuning is 440 Hz. Some orchestras use 442, early music uses 415, and some people prefer 432. Change it to match the group you play with.
Why is the reading jumpy?
Pluck one string firmly and let it ring, in a quiet room. Background noise, several strings sounding at once, and very quiet notes confuse any tuner. Bringing the microphone closer to the instrument or amp helps.
Credits
Built by OneTooling using standard browser features. No third-party code runs on your data.