How to Tune a Mandolin
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Tune a mandolin to G D A E, low to high, matching the strings in each course to the same note. Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock, pluck a string and turn its tuning peg until the tuner reads the right note. Check the tuning against A440, then play a few notes and recheck.
Clip the tuner to the headstock
Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock where it can read the vibration of the strings. A clip-on tuner reads vibration, so background noise does not affect the reading. Turn the tuner on, set it to chromatic mode if it has one, and check that the display is easy to read from where you sit.
Tune the G course first
Start with the lowest course and work up to the highest, tuning each course to its note in G D A E order. Pluck a string, watch the tuner display and turn the peg slowly toward the note. When the tuner shows the note is in tune, pluck the other string in the course and match it to the same note before moving on.
Tune up to the note
If a string reads below its note, turn the peg to raise the pitch and stop when the tuner shows the note. If a string reads above its note, lower it below the note first, then tune up to it. Tuning up keeps the string seated and holds the tuning better than tuning down to the note.
Check the tuning after playing
Play a few notes after tuning, then check each course again with the tuner. Strings settle and shift as they are played, and a mandolin that was moved or left in a cold room can drift out of tune. Retune any course that reads off, and recheck the rest before you play on.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A USB rechargeable clip-on tuner with a dedicated mandolin mode, an octave display and vibration-based pitch detection.
- 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 and vulcanised rubber joints.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a sound shield that keeps room noise out, a bright screen and pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz.
- 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 mandolin to?
G D A E, low to high, with the strings in each course matched to the same note. Use a chromatic tuner and tune each course to its note, then recheck after playing.
Why does my mandolin go out of tune?
Strings settle and shift as they are played, and a mandolin that was moved or left in a cold room can drift. Retune any course that reads off and recheck the rest before you play on.
Can I tune a mandolin with a guitar tuner?
Yes, if the tuner has a chromatic mode. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX has a dedicated mandolin mode, and the Snark SIL-RED reads in chromatic mode.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
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