Tune the Strings

12-String Guitar Tuner

Tune every string on your 12-string, including the octave strings, with your microphone. The tuner knows all ten different notes and picks the right one as you play.

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Press Start and allow the microphone. Audio stays on your device.

12-string guitar string notes

Standard 12-string (E A D G B E)
NoteFrequency (A4 = 440 Hz)
E282.41 Hz
E3164.81 Hz
A2110.00 Hz
A3220.00 Hz
D3146.83 Hz
D4293.66 Hz
G3196.00 Hz
G4392.00 Hz
B3246.94 Hz
E4329.63 Hz

Listed in the same order as the string buttons in the tuner.

How to tune a 12-string guitar with this tuner

  1. Tune the six main strings first, as on a 6-string guitar: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4.
  2. Then tune the octave strings of the four low courses: E3, A3, D4 and the thin high G4. Be gentle with the G4 — it is the string most likely to break.
  3. Tune the unison strings of the B and E courses to the same note as their partners.
  4. Pluck one string at a time (use a pick and pluck just the one string). If you pluck both strings of a course at once, the tuner hears two notes.
  5. Recheck everything: twelve strings put a lot of tension on the neck, so the first strings drift as you tune the last.

12-string guitar tuning tips

Tuning down

Many 12-string players tune a half or whole step down to reduce neck tension. Tune to standard first, then use the chromatic tuner on the home page for other pitches.

Which string is which?

On most 12-strings the octave string sits above (closer to your face than) its main string in each of the four low courses.

Final check by ear

Play each course together after tuning: an in-tune pair sounds like one rich note; a slow wobble means one string is slightly off.

Tune by ear with reference notes

No microphone? Press any string button above to play its note for three seconds, then adjust the string until the two sounds stop "beating" (wobbling) against each other. Headphones or decent speakers make low notes much easier to hear.

FAQ

What notes are on a 12-string guitar?

Main strings E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 as on a 6-string. The low four courses have octave strings E3, A3, D4 and G4; the B and E courses are doubled in unison.

Why does my 12-string go out of tune so easily?

Twelve strings put roughly double the tension on the neck, and the thin octave strings stretch. Tune twice, and consider tuning down a step if it is a constant fight.

Can I use a regular guitar tuner for a 12-string?

A chromatic tuner works if you know the octave notes. This page lists them all and guides you to the nearest one automatically.

Other tuners