How Is a Baritone Guitar Tuned?
Updated Nov 12, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A baritone guitar tunes to B E A D F# B: the same pattern as standard guitar tuning, shifted lower. The low B sits below the low E of a standard guitar, and the other strings follow the same order. A chromatic tuner reads each string, and an octave display shows which octave the note sits in.
Set the tuner to chromatic mode
Chromatic mode reads any note, so it shows B, E, A, D, F# and B for the baritone strings instead of expecting the notes of a standard guitar. Set the calibration to A440 unless the other instruments you play with use a different reference: the KLIQ UberTuner-MAX covers 430 to 450 Hz, and the Snark ST-8HPT covers 432 and 442 Hz. Clip the tuner to the headstock before you start.
Tune the low B string
Pluck the low B string and watch the tuner display. Turn the tuning peg in small moves until the display shows B and the needle or strobe settles in the middle. If the string reads sharp, loosen it below the note and bring it back up. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX octave display shows which octave the B sits in, so a B in the wrong octave stands out.
Tune the other strings in order
Work from the low E up through A, D, F# and high B, plucking each string and turning its peg until the tuner shows the right note. Pluck the string again after each adjustment so the tuner reads the settled note. Leave the low B alone while you work through the other strings, and come back to it at the end.
Check each string again after tuning
Tuning a string changes the pull on the neck, so a string that was in tune can drift while you tune the next string. Go through all the strings again and adjust any that moved off its note. If a string keeps drifting, pluck it and let it settle before you adjust the peg again. New strings need more passes before they hold tune.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a chromatic mode, an octave display and calibration from 430 to 450 Hz, that reads by vibration and charges over USB.
- Chromatic mode
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip On
Snark SIL-RED Silver Snark Chromatic Tuner Red
A chromatic clip-on tuner with a high-resolution display that rotates 360 degrees, with vulcanised rubber joints and Hyper-Snark tuning software.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz and an anechoic sound shield that keeps room noise out, for guitar, bass and all instruments.
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip-On
These come from our ranked list Best Tuners, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What notes does a baritone guitar tune to?
A baritone guitar tunes to B E A D F# B, low to high. The low B sits below the low E of a standard guitar, and the other strings follow the same pattern as standard tuning, shifted lower.
Can a standard guitar tuner tune a baritone guitar?
A chromatic tuner can, since it reads any note and shows B for the low string. An octave display shows which octave the note sits in, and the KLIQ UberTuner-MAX has an octave display. A tuner stuck in guitar mode may expect the notes of a standard guitar, so chromatic mode is the safe pick.
Why does my baritone guitar keep going out of tune?
Tuning a string changes the pull on the neck, so other strings drift while you work through them. New strings stretch and need more passes before they hold tune. Check each string again after tuning and adjust any that moved.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
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