C standard tuner
Tune your guitar to C standard: C F B♭ E♭ G C, from the thickest string to the thinnest. The tuner above is already set to C standard, so just tap Use microphone and play each string until it turns green.
C standard tuning notes
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (thickest) | C2 | 65.41 Hz |
| 5th | F2 | 87.31 Hz |
| 4th | B♭2 | 116.54 Hz |
| 3rd | E♭3 | 155.56 Hz |
| 2nd | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | C4 | 261.63 Hz |
Frequencies assume the standard reference pitch of A4 = 440 Hz.
How to get to C standard from standard
- Loosen the 6th string from E down 4 half steps to C.
- Loosen the 5th string from A down 4 half steps to F.
- Loosen the 4th string from D down 4 half steps to B♭.
- Loosen the 3rd string from G down 4 half steps to E♭.
- Loosen the 2nd string from B down 4 half steps to G.
- Loosen the 1st string from E down 4 half steps to C.
Every string changes. Retune slowly and check each string twice, because changing the tension on one pulls slightly on the others.
What C standard is good for
Every string two whole steps below standard. Chord shapes stay the same but everything sounds much deeper, which suits doom, stoner rock and baritone-voiced singers. Heavier strings help.
Other guitar tunings
| Tuning | Notes | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | E A D G B E | The default for almost everything. |
| Half step down | E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ | Every string drops a semitone. |
| Whole step down | D G C F A D | Two semitones lower than standard. |
| C standard | C F B♭ E♭ G C | Every string two whole steps below standard. |
| B standard | B E A D F♯ B | Two and a half steps below standard, so the guitar sits close to a baritone. |
| Drop D | D A D G B E | Only the low E string changes. |
| Drop C♯ | D♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ | Drop D taken down another semitone, so every string is a half step below Drop D. |
| Drop C | C G C F A D | Drop D taken down a whole step. |
| Drop B | B F♯ B E G♯ C♯ | C♯ standard with the low string dropped to B. |
| Open G | D G D G B D | Strumming the open strings plays a G major chord, so a single finger across the neck gives you any major chord. |
| Open D | D A D F♯ A D | The open strings ring out a D major chord. |
| Open E | E B E G♯ B E | The open strings form an E major chord. |
| Open C | C G C G C E | A very low, wide C major chord across the open strings. |
| Open A | E A E A C♯ E | The open strings ring an A major chord. |
| DADGAD | D A D G A D | Neither major nor minor, so open strings drone underneath melodies. |
Gear that helps
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C standard tuning questions
What notes are in C standard tuning?
From the 6th string to the 1st, C standard is C F B♭ E♭ G C.
How do I tune my guitar to C standard?
Start in standard tuning, pick C standard in the tuner, then play each string and follow Tune up or Tune down until the note turns green. 6 strings change.
How do I get back to standard tuning?
Choose Standard in the tuning menu, or open the guitar tuner, and tune each string back to E A D G B E.
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.