Free Online Violin Tuner
Play each violin string into your mic and the tuner instantly shows the closest string, the exact Hz, and whether you are sharp or flat.
Click Start Tuner and play a string…
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How to Tune Your Violin
- Click Start Tuner and allow microphone access.
- Play one string at a time and keep the bow or finger steady.
- The highlighted card shows the closest string. The cents meter shows how sharp or flat you are.
- Turn the peg slowly. Tune up to pitch from below rather than down.
- When the meter centers on green (within ±5 cents), the string is in tune. Repeat for all 4 strings.
Standard Violin Tuning Reference
| String | Note | Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | G3 | 196.00 Hz | Lowest violin string, warm and resonant |
| 3 (D) | D4 | 293.66 Hz | Common melodic string for lower passages |
| 2 (A) | A4 | 440.00 Hz | Concert A reference pitch |
| 1 (E) | E5 | 659.25 Hz | Highest standard violin string, bright and projecting |
Violin Alternate Tunings & Scordatura
Beyond standard GDAE, violinists use special tunings for specific repertoire and folk traditions. See the target pitches and Hz for each.
Scordatura (Saint-Saëns)
Use: Classical solo pieces requiring an eerie, dissonant open-string effect
Examples: Saint-Saëns – Danse Macabre, Biber – Mystery Sonatas
Open A Cross-tuning
Use: Old-time and Appalachian fiddle music
Examples: Shady Grove, Old Joe Clark
GDGD Celtic Cross-tuning
Use: Celtic, Irish, and Scandinavian folk fiddle
Examples: Drowsy Maggie, The Drunken Sailor
Baroque (A = 415 Hz)
Use: Historically informed baroque performance
Examples: Bach Partitas, Vivaldi Concertos (HIP recordings)
Violin Tuning Tips
Small technique differences make a big impact on tuning accuracy and string longevity.
Start with the A string
A4 (440 Hz) is the universal orchestra reference. Tune it first, then use open-string fifths (A→D→G, A→E) 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 your 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 body and re-tune. Repeat 3–4 times to accelerate the break-in and reduce pitch drift.
Light bow pressure near mid-bow
Heavy bow pressure near the frog masks the fundamental with noise. Use moderate bow speed near the balance point 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.
Pegs vs Fine Tuners — When to Use Each
Friction Pegs
- Use when adjustment is >20 cents off
- Push peg slightly inward while turning to seat it
- Apply peg compound if it slips or sticks
- Turn slowly — pegs are very sensitive
- Can be replaced with planetary (Peghed) pegs for easier tuning
Fine Tuners
- Use when adjustment is <20 cents off
- Clockwise raises pitch, counter-clockwise lowers it
- All-fine-tuner tailpieces (Wittner) recommended for beginners
- E string almost always has a built-in fine tuner
- Do not over-tighten — fully threaded fine tuners lose range
Violin Tuner FAQ
Standard violin tuning is G3, D4, A4, E5 from the lowest string to the highest. G is the thickest string, E the thinnest. This tuner is preset for standard orchestral tuning.
Both work. Bowing gives a sustained note that the tuner reads easily. Plucking gives a quicker reading for a rough check. For the most accurate result, use a steady bow stroke near the middle of the bow.
Violin strings produce strong overtones. The tuner may briefly lock onto a harmonic. Play firmly and listen for the lowest stable pitch. Plucking lightly can reduce harmonic interference.
Use friction pegs for large adjustments (more than 20 cents). Push the peg in slightly while turning to keep it from slipping. Use fine tuners on the tailpiece for small adjustments — they give much more precise control.
New strings stretch for 1–2 weeks after installation. Temperature and humidity changes also affect pitch — a 10°C temperature swing can shift pitch by 10–20 cents. Tune before every session and re-check after a 10-minute warm-up.
Historically informed baroque ensembles tune to A=415 Hz, roughly a half step below the modern A=440 Hz. If you play in a baroque ensemble, all your strings will be tuned about a half step lower than standard GDAE.
Scordatura is a deliberate non-standard tuning for a specific piece. The most famous violin example is Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, where the E string is tuned down a half step to E♭ for an eerie, dissonant open-string effect.
Cross-tuning means retuning one or more strings to create open-string drones that ring sympathetically with the key of the tune. Common examples include AEAE (Open A) for old-time and GDGD for Celtic music.
Yes — the tuner detects any pitch chromatically. For a 5-string with a low C3 string, play each string and read the note name on the display. The preset focuses on the standard 4 strings.
After tuning the open strings, play a scale and check each note against a reference pitch. The tuner shows the deviation in cents for any note you play, making it easy to identify problem notes during practice.
Ready to Tune Your Violin?
Click the button below to jump back to the tuner, allow microphone access, and get in tune in under a minute.
Open Violin Tuner