Tuning Electric Guitar: Step-by-Step for Beginners

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Tuning electric guitar is quicker than most beginners expect, as long as you go string by string in the right order and recheck your work. This guide covers standard tuning, a repeatable routine, the mistakes that keep a guitar out of tune, and which clip-on tuners on Amazon suit a beginner.

How we researched

This guide compares five search results on electric guitar tuning, including tuning guides, a browser tuner and one owner discussion thread. It also compares eight tuners listed on Amazon, using their star ratings, rating counts and price tiers. Where the sources agree on the routine, we say so. Where they add different detail, such as the target pitches or the advice on plugging in, we point that out. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

Quick answer: how to tune an electric guitar

Standard tuning is six strings to E, A, D, G, B and E, from thickest to thinnest. Tune each string to its target with a clip-on tuner, starting with the low E. Mute the other strings while you tune, then run through the set again once the strings settle.

What you need

You need an electric guitar, a tuner (a clip-on, a pedal or a browser tuner) and about five minutes. You also need to know where the tuning pegs are. School of Rock's beginner guide explains that guitar tuning is controlled by the tuning pegs on the headstock, so start by finding which peg belongs to which string.

Steps to tune an electric guitar

Step 1: Pick your target tuning

Use Standard EADGBE unless the song you want to play uses a different tuning. Drop D, which lowers only the low E string to D, is a common alternative for riffs. The usual mistake here is tuning to the wrong target, then wondering why the tuner disagrees with the recording.

Step 2: Start with the low E

Pluck the low E and turn its peg until the tuner reads in tune. D'Addario's guide starts the same way: pluck the low E and adjust the tuning peg until the tuner and your ear agree. Use the tuner as the final check, because a tuning that only sounds right can still be off.

Step 3: Mute the other strings and tune each one

Pluck one string clearly and mute the others so the tuner can lock onto that pitch. GuitarTuner.io's guide says to tighten if the note is flat, loosen if it is sharp, and stop when the indicator centers. The common mistake is letting neighbouring strings ring, so the tuner reads the wrong string.

Step 4: Repeat for A, D, G, B and high E

Move through the remaining strings in order, one at a time, and do not skip ahead. Rushing is where most beginners lose the tuning they set on the low strings.

Step 5: Recheck the whole set

Tuning drifts as new strings stretch and settle. Run through all six strings once more before you play, because the first pass often leaves one or two strings slightly off.

Common mistakes

The three mistakes that come up most in the material are these. First, tuning by ear alone, which misses small sharp or flat errors that a tuner shows at once. Second, leaving the other strings ringing while you tune. Third, tuning once and never rechecking after the strings settle.

Choosing a clip-on tuner

A clip-on tuner is the simplest way to follow the routine above. The listings below show ratings, rating counts and price tiers on Amazon, so check each listing's details before you buy. GuitarTuner.io notes that a quiet room and one clear string usually give a stable reading from a microphone tuner, which is one reason a clip-on is handy in a noisy room.

The Fender FCT-2 Professional Multi-Instrument Clip-On Tuner for Guitar has 4.4 stars from 18700 ratings on Amazon, the largest rating count among the listings we compared. Its price tier is under $100. It suits beginners who want the option with the most owner ratings.

The New bee Guitar Tuner Rechargeable has 4.5 stars from 766 ratings on Amazon, the highest star rating in this group, and a price tier under $100. Its name says it is rechargeable, so it suits players who want to skip buying batteries.

The Ranch Clip-On Tuner for Guitar Bass Ukulele Violin Banjo has 4.4 stars from 5300 ratings on Amazon and a price tier under $100. Its name lists guitar, bass, ukulele, violin and banjo, so it suits players who tune more than one instrument.

Choose the Fender FCT-2 if you want the largest base of owner ratings. Choose the New bee if you want a rechargeable tuner. Choose the Ranch if you also tune bass, ukulele or banjo. Choose the Roadie 4 only if your budget reaches the $100–$300 tier and you want automatic tuning.

FAQ

Should I tune my electric guitar plugged in or unplugged?

One owner discussion on Reddit says it makes no difference, because plugging in does not change the pitch of the strings. That is a forum opinion, not a manufacturer rule, but it matches the routine above: tune with whichever setup you will play with, and check the result with a tuner. Plugging in is only a problem if you change the sound with effects while you tune.

What is the basic tuning for a guitar?

The basic tuning for a six-string guitar is standard EADGBE, from the low E up to the high E. Most beginner songs and lessons assume this tuning, so start here before trying anything else.

What is drop D tuning?

Drop D tuning lowers only the low E string down to D, leaving the other five strings as they are in standard tuning. Players use it for heavier riffs and power chords. Re-tune it from standard, and check the low string with your tuner before you play.

Conclusion

Tuning electric guitar comes down to a few habits: set your target, go string by string, mute the others and recheck the whole set. Your next step is to pick a tuner and run the routine on your guitar tonight, then again tomorrow to see how much drift you get as the strings settle.

Sources

• Klos Guitars: How to Tune an Electric Guitar
• School of Rock: Beginner's Guide to Tuning a Guitar
• D'Addario: How to Tune a Guitar
• GuitarTuner.io: Free Online Guitar Tuner
• Reddit r/Guitar: How do I tune an electric guitar?