Mandolin Tuner

Free online mandolin tuner with 6 tuning presets. Tune your mandolin using your microphone with accurate pitch detection.

Loading tuner...
✓100% Free
✓6 Tuning Presets
✓Works on Any Device

Mandolin Tunings

Choose from 6 popular mandolin tunings. Each tuning page includes a pre-configured tuner and information about when to use it.

Standard (GDAE)

G3 - D4 - A4 - E5

Open G (GDGB)

G3 - D4 - G4 - B4

Open D (DADF#)

D3 - A3 - D4 - F#4

Cross Tuning (GDAD)

G3 - D4 - A4 - D5

Sawmill (GDGD)

G3 - D4 - G4 - D5

Open A (EACE)

E3 - A3 - C#4 - E4

How to Tune a Mandolin

Tuning your mandolin is essential for producing beautiful music. The standard mandolin tuning is G-D-A-E (from the lowest course to the highest), identical to violin tuning. The mandolin has 8 strings arranged in 4 courses (pairs), with each pair tuned to the same pitch.

Begin by tuning the A course to A4 (440 Hz), which is the standard concert pitch. Then tune the D course a perfect fifth below A, followed by the G course a perfect fifth below D, and finally the E course a perfect fifth above A. Make sure both strings in each course are tuned to exactly the same pitch for a clean, chorus-free tone.

How to Use This Mandolin Tuner

  1. Select your tuning from the dropdown menu (Standard GDAE is selected by default).
  2. Click the microphone button and allow microphone access when prompted.
  3. Pluck a single string on your mandolin. The tuner will automatically detect which course you're playing.
  4. You can also tap a specific string button to tune that course. The tuner will show how sharp or flat you are from the target note.
  5. Turn the tuning peg until the indicator is centered and the status shows "In Tune."
  6. Tune both strings in each course to the same pitch, then repeat for all four courses.

Understanding Mandolin Tuning

Standard (GDAE) — The universal mandolin tuning, identical to violin. Strings are tuned in perfect fifths: G3, D4, A4, E5. This is the tuning used in bluegrass, classical, Celtic, and virtually all other mandolin styles.

Open G (GDGB) — An open tuning that produces a G major chord when all courses are strummed. Popular in folk and blues mandolin, it simplifies playing in the key of G major with easy chord shapes and open drones.

Cross Tuning (GDAD) — Also known as sawmill tuning with the high E dropped to D. Very popular in Celtic and Irish mandolin playing. The two D courses create a rich drone effect perfect for jigs, reels, and other traditional tunes.