Free Online Cello Tuner
Play each cello string into your mic and the tuner instantly shows the closest string, the exact Hz, and whether you are sharp or flat.
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How to Tune Your Cello
- Click Start Tuner and allow microphone access.
- Bow one string at a time with a steady, moderate stroke near the middle of the bow.
- The highlighted card shows the closest string. The cents meter shows how sharp or flat you are.
- Use the peg for large adjustments, the fine tuner for small ones. Tune up to pitch from below.
- When the meter centers on green (within ±5 cents), the string is in tune. Repeat for all 4 strings.
Standard Cello Tuning Reference
| String | Note | Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (C) | C2 | 65.41 Hz | Lowest cello string, deep and powerful |
| 3 (G) | G2 | 98.00 Hz | Warm and resonant mid-low string |
| 2 (D) | D3 | 146.83 Hz | Common melodic string for lyrical passages |
| 1 (A) | A3 | 220.00 Hz | Highest cello string, singing and bright |
Cello Alternate Tunings & Scordatura
Beyond standard CGDA, cellists use scordatura for specific repertoire. See the target pitches and Hz for each.
Bach Cello Suite No. 5
Use: The famous scordatura — the A string is dropped to G for a darker, resonant C-minor sonority
Examples: Bach – Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor (BWV 1011)
Baroque (A = 415 Hz)
Use: Historically informed baroque performance
Examples: Bach Suites, Vivaldi Cello Concertos (HIP recordings)
Cello Tuning Tips
Small technique differences make a big impact on tuning accuracy and string longevity.
Start with the A string
A3 (220 Hz) is the reference for cellists. Tune it first, then use open-string fifths (A→D→G→C) to set the others by ear or with the tuner.
Always tune up from below
Loosen the string slightly past pitch, then bring it up. Peg friction settles at the right pitch more reliably than tuning down from above.
Use fine tuners for small adjustments
When you are within 10–15 cents, switch to the fine tuner on the tailpiece. Fine tuners give far more control than the pegs for micro-adjustments.
Stretch new strings
After installing new strings, gently pull each string away from the fingerboard and re-tune. Repeat 3–4 times to accelerate the break-in and reduce drift.
Bow near the middle
Heavy bow pressure near the bridge masks the fundamental with noise. Use moderate bow speed near the middle of the bow for the clearest pitch reading.
Re-check after warming up
The instrument expands slightly as it warms to room temperature. Play for 5–10 minutes, then do a final tuning check before practicing or performing.
Cello Tuner FAQ
Standard cello tuning is C2, G2, D3, A3 from the lowest string to the highest. The A string tunes to 220 Hz, one octave below the violin's A4 at 440 Hz. This tuner is preset for standard orchestral tuning.
Bowing gives a sustained note the tuner reads most reliably. Plucking (pizzicato) works for a quick rough check. For the most accurate result, use a steady bow stroke near the middle of the bow.
Low cello strings are rich in overtones, and the tuner can briefly lock onto a harmonic. Play firmly and listen for the lowest stable pitch. Plucking lightly can reduce harmonic interference.
Use the pegs for large adjustments (more than 20 cents). Push the peg slightly inward while turning to keep it seated. Use the fine tuners on the tailpiece for adjustments under 20 cents — they offer far more control.
New strings stretch for 1–2 weeks after installation. Temperature and humidity also shift pitch — a cold cello plays flat until it warms up. Tune before every session and re-check after 10 minutes of playing.
Historically informed Baroque ensembles tune to A=415 Hz, about a half step below modern A=440 Hz. If you play in such an ensemble, tune all strings about a half step lower than standard CGDA.
Scordatura is a deliberate non-standard tuning for a specific piece. The most famous cello example is Bach's Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, where the top A string is tuned down to G, giving C G D G.
Yes — the tuner detects any pitch chromatically. A 5-string cello adds a high E5 string above the A string. Just play each string and read the note name on the display. The preset focuses on the standard 4 strings.
Ready to Tune Your Cello?
Click the button below to jump back to the tuner, allow microphone access, and get in tune in under a minute.
Open Cello Tuner