How to Tune a Banjo
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Tune a banjo to open G: the fifth string to G, then D, G, B and D from the fourth string to the first. Clip a tuner to the headstock, pluck one string at a time, and turn its peg until the tuner shows the note. Recheck them, since tightening one string can pull the others flat.
Clip the tuner to the headstock
Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock so the display faces you. A clip-on tuner reads vibration through the wood, so room noise does not affect the reading. Pick the mode for banjo if the tuner has one, or chromatic mode if it does not.
Tune the short fifth string to G
Start with the short fifth string and tune it to G. Then work from the fourth string to the first: D, G, B and D. Pluck one string at a time and watch the tuner display as you turn the peg. Pluck the string again after each small turn, so the tuner reads the note as it settles.
Always tune up to the note
Bring each string up to pitch from below, never down from above. If a string reads sharp, loosen it until it reads flat, then turn the peg up to the note again. Tuning up keeps tension on the peg and the string, so the note holds instead of slipping flat.
Check every string again after tuning
Tightening one string pulls on the neck and can move the others, so go back and check each string after the first pass. Retune any string that has moved, then check the set once more. When every string reads its note on the tuner, the banjo is in tune.
Retune new strings until they hold
New strings stretch as they settle, so they lose pitch and need retuning. Watch for strings that no longer hold tune or feel rough and discolored, and retune before you play. A fresh set needs repeated passes before each string stays where the tuner says it should.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a dedicated banjo mode, a chromatic mode and an octave display, so it reads each string and the octave it sits in.
- 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, so it reads from any angle on the headstock.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz, a super bright screen and an anechoic sound shield.
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip-On
These come from our ranked list Best Tuners, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What notes do you tune a banjo to?
Open G tuning: the fifth string to G, then D, G, B and D from the fourth string to the first.
Should I tune up or down to the note?
Tune up to the note. If a string reads sharp, loosen it until it reads flat and bring it back up, so the peg holds tension and the note stays put.
Why does my banjo go out of tune with new strings?
New strings stretch as they settle, so they lose pitch until they hold. Retune each string and check the others again, and keep retuning until the set stays in tune.
Can I tune a banjo with a guitar tuner?
Yes, if the tuner has a chromatic mode, since it reads any note, including each banjo string. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX also has a dedicated banjo mode for this task.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
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