How to Tune a Guitalele
Updated Nov 12, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Tune a guitalele to A D G C E A, from the lowest string to the highest, using a chromatic clip-on tuner. Clip the tuner to the headstock, pluck one string at a time, and turn its tuning peg until the tuner shows the right note. Check each string again after the others.
Set the reference pitch first
Set the tuner to A440 before you start, so every string is measured against the same reference. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX offers calibration from 430 to 450 Hz, and the Snark ST-8HPT offers pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz. Pick one reference and use it for all six strings.
Clip the tuner to the headstock
Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock so it reads the vibration of each string. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX uses vibration-based pitch detection, so it ignores background noise and needs no microphone. Turn the display so you can read it while you pluck, and leave the tuner clipped on while you work through the strings.
Tune the lowest string first
Start with the lowest string and work up to the highest: A, D, G, C, E, A. Pluck the string and watch the tuner. Tighten the string to raise the pitch when the tuner shows a lower note than the one you want, and loosen it to lower the pitch when the tuner shows a higher note. Tune in small turns and pluck again after each turn, so the string settles near the note before you move on.
Check every string a second time
Go through all six strings again after the first pass. Tightening one string pulls on the neck and can shift the strings you already tuned, so a second pass brings them back in line. Pluck each string once more and adjust any that drifted. Repeat the pass until each string holds its note.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A USB rechargeable clip-on tuner with a chromatic mode and an octave display, calibrated from 430 to 450 Hz, that reads each guitalele string.
- 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 you can read it from any angle while you tune.
- 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 for easier tuning, 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 do you tune a guitalele to?
A guitalele tunes to A D G C E A, from the lowest string to the highest. A chromatic tuner reads each of those notes, so clip it on and tune one string at a time. Check all six strings again after the first pass.
Can I use a guitar tuner on a guitalele?
Yes, if the tuner has a chromatic mode. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX has a chromatic mode and dedicated modes for guitar, bass, violin, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo, and the Snark ST-8HPT tunes guitar, bass, and all instruments. A chromatic mode reads any note, so it covers the guitalele's A D G C E A tuning.
Why does my guitalele keep going out of tune?
New strings stretch and settle, so a guitalele needs tuning again after you play it for a while. Tune each string to its note, play, and check again. If a string no longer holds its note after repeated tuning, the string is worn and needs replacing.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
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