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Free online Guitar Tuner Standard · Drop D · DADGAD · Open G · Open D

A cents-accurate browser tuner for guitar. Six tuning presets, adjustable A4 reference, fullscreen focus mode for live use. Built on the Web Audio API and the open-source McLeod Pitch Method — your microphone stream stays in the browser.

Mic off
A4 440 Hz

Microphone needed

The tuner needs access to your mic to listen for pitch. Audio is analysed in your browser only — nothing is sent anywhere.

What is a chromatic guitar tuner?

A chromatic guitar tuner listens to your instrument and tells you which note you're playing and how many cents you're off pitch. This is a free browser-based chromatic tuner with cents-accurate detection, six tuning presets (Standard, Drop D, DADGAD, Half-step down, Open G, Open D) and an adjustable A4 reference for orchestral and alternative tunings.

How to use

How to tune your
guitar.

Six steps from cold strings to in tune. Same flow whether you're tuning up before a lesson or quickly retuning between songs at a gig.

  1. 01

    Allow microphone access

    Click "Turn on the mic". Your browser will ask for permission. The audio stream is analysed locally — nothing is sent to a server.

  2. 02

    Pick your tuning

    Standard EADGBE is the default. Tap any other preset (Drop D, DADGAD, Half-step down, Open G, Open D) to switch — the string indicators update immediately.

  3. 03

    Set your A4 reference

    Most playing happens at A4 = 440 Hz. Bump it up or down with the + / − buttons if you're tuning to an instrument at 442 (orchestral) or 432 (alternative tuning).

  4. 04

    Play a note

    Pluck one string at a time, clearly. The tuner detects the pitch and shows the closest note. The matching string indicator below lights up sage green.

  5. 05

    Watch the needle

    The needle shows how many cents you're off. Aim for the centre. When you're within ±5 cents, the needle and note name turn sage green to confirm you're in tune.

  6. 06

    Tune up to pitch

    If you're flat, tune up. If you're sharp, tune below the target then back up — bringing the string up to pitch keeps the peg under load so the tuning holds.

FAQ

Common
questions.

What tutors and learners ask us about the tuner, microphone permissions, and tuning accuracy.

Do I need a tuner pedal or interface?

No. A built-in laptop or phone mic is enough for most setups — the tuner's pitch detection is accurate down to the low E (around 82 Hz). If you're in a noisy room, plugging into a USB audio interface gives you a cleaner signal and slightly faster lock-on.

What tunings does this support?

Six presets out of the box: Standard (E A D G B E), Drop D, DADGAD, Half-step down (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), Open G (D G D G B D), and Open D (D A D F♯ A D). The tuner detects any pitch within the guitar's range, so you can also use it for non-preset tunings — just tune each string by ear to its target note.

Why does it ask for microphone permission?

Pitch detection needs the audio signal from your instrument. The browser requires explicit permission before any site can access the mic. The stream is processed entirely in your browser — no audio is uploaded, recorded, or sent to a server. The mic stream is torn down the moment you click "Stop mic" or leave the page.

Can I change the A4 reference frequency?

Yes — adjustable from 415 Hz to 466 Hz. The default is 440 Hz (modern concert pitch). Orchestral and chamber groups sometimes tune to 442 or 443; some classical and folk players prefer 432. Your A4 setting persists in localStorage so you don't need to reset it each visit.

How accurate is a browser-based tuner?

Pitch detection here uses the McLeod Pitch Method (via the open-source pitchy library), which is accurate to within ±1 cent under normal conditions — well below the threshold of human hearing for pitch difference. A clarity threshold of 0.92 filters out background noise, and a 6-frame median smooths the reading so the needle doesn't twitch.

Can I use this tuner during a lesson or gig?

Yes. Click Focus (or press F) to enter a fullscreen, distraction-free view. The needle and note name fill the screen — readable from across the room. Press Escape to exit. The mic only listens while the tuner is active and is released immediately when you stop or close the tab.

Why do open strings sometimes read as a different note?

Strong harmonics can occasionally trick a pitch detector — especially on the low E. Pluck closer to the bridge (less harmonic content), let the note settle for a moment, and the reading will lock onto the fundamental. The 6-frame smoothing also helps it converge.

Is this tuner free?

Yes — completely free, no ads, no account, no usage limits. Built and given away by myguitartutor, a workshop and SaaS for working guitar tutors.

How it works

Quiet room, clean signal, instant feedback.

The tuner uses the McLeod Pitch Method via the open-source pitchy library — accurate down to the low E (82 Hz) on a half-decent built-in mic. Confidence filtering keeps the needle from twitching when you're not actually playing.

When you're within ±5 cents the needle and note name go sage green. When you're flat or sharp, ember. Aim for the centre and hold steady for a moment — the reading averages itself over the last few frames to keep things calm.

No data leaves your browser. The mic stream is opened, analysed locally, and torn down as soon as you stop. Clicking "Stop mic" or navigating away releases the device.

Pro tip

"Tune up to a note, not down. Bringing the string up to pitch keeps the tuning peg under load and stops it slipping mid-set."

— From the journal

Pair it with

The metronome →

Keep digging

Tuning is the easy part — what about the rest of the lesson?

Most students who quit cite 'lack of progress' — and the fix starts with a structured lesson and a measurable practice plan. The tuner is step one.