How to Tune a Ukulele
Updated Nov 10, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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To tune a ukulele, clip a tuner to the headstock and tune each string to standard tuning: G, C, E, A, from the top string to the bottom string. Pluck one string at a time and turn its tuning peg until the tuner shows the note, move to the next string and recheck them all at the end.
Clip the tuner to the headstock
Clip the tuner to the headstock so its display faces you. A clip-on tuner reads the vibration of the string through the wood, so room noise does not confuse it. Turn the tuner on and check that the display lights up before you pluck a string.
Tune the G string first
Pluck the top string, G, and look at the tuner display. If the note shows flat, tighten the tuning peg a little; if it shows sharp, loosen the peg a little, then bring the pitch up to G. Small turns move the pitch less than big ones, so adjust slowly and pluck again after each turn.
Work through the strings in order
After G, tune C, then E and A, one string at a time. Each string has its own tuning peg, so follow the pegs in the same order as the strings. Mute the other strings while you pluck the one you are tuning, so the tuner reads only that string.
Recheck every string at the end
Play through all the strings again after the last one is in tune. Turning one peg can shift the neck and move the other strings slightly, so a string that was in tune may need a small adjustment. Repeat the pass until each string holds its note.
Set the tuner to ukulele mode
If your tuner has a ukulele mode, set it before you start, so the display shows the ukulele note names. A chromatic mode also works: it shows the note of any string you pluck. Leave the reference pitch at A440 unless you are tuning to another instrument.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a dedicated ukulele mode, a chromatic mode and an octave display.
- Chromatic mode
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip On
Snark SIL-RED Silver Snark Chromatic Tuner Red
A clip-on chromatic tuner with a high resolution display that rotates 360 degrees.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a super bright screen that reads any note, with 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 ukulele to?
Standard tuning is G, C, E, A, from the top string to the bottom string. The top string is G, then C, E, and A is the bottom string.
Should I tune up or down to the note?
Tune up to the note from below. Loosen the string slightly, then tighten the peg until the tuner shows the note, so the string ends under steady tension.
Why does my ukulele go out of tune?
Strings settle as they stretch, and changes in temperature and humidity move the wood and the strings. Tune again before you play, and recheck the strings after a few songs.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
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