How to Tune a Banjolele
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A banjolele tunes to G C E A, the same notes as a ukulele. Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock, pluck each string, and turn the tuning peg until the tuner shows the right note for that string. Retune until every string holds its note.
Clip on a chromatic tuner
Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock where you can read the display while you turn the pegs. Set the tuner to chromatic mode so it reads any note, and check that the calibration sits at A440. The tuner reads the pitch of the string you pluck and shows the note name, so you can see whether the string sits flat or sharp of the note you want.
Tune the strings to G C E A
A banjolele tunes to G C E A, the same notes as a ukulele. Start with the G string, the string nearest your chin, then work across to C, E and A. Pluck a string at a time and watch the tuner. If the string reads below its note, turn the peg to raise the pitch; if it reads above, lower it and come back up to the note. Tune up to each note from below so the string holds its pitch.
Check every string again
Tuning a string changes the pull on the neck, so a string you already tuned can move. Go back over the strings and check each against the tuner, adjusting any that drifted. Repeat the round until every string reads its note and stays there when you pluck it again.
Settle new strings and recheck
New strings stretch and drop in pitch until they settle, so a fresh set needs several rounds of tuning. Pluck each string, bring it back to its note, and play for a while before you check again. Retune until the notes hold, and check the tuning each time before you play.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on chromatic tuner with an octave display and dedicated modes for banjo and ukulele, so it shows which octave each string sits in.
- Chromatic mode
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip On
Snark SIL-RED Silver Snark Chromatic Tuner Red
A chromatic 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 bright screen and an anechoic sound shield that keeps room noise out, 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 does a banjolele tune to?
A banjolele tunes to G C E A, the same notes as a ukulele. The G string sits highest in pitch, and each string tunes to its own note on the tuner.
Why does my banjolele keep going out of tune?
New strings stretch and drop in pitch until they settle, so retune after playing until the notes hold. Strings that no longer hold tune, or that look discolored or rough, need replacing.
Can I tune a banjolele without a tuner?
Yes. Get a string in tune from another tuned instrument, then match the other strings to it by ear. A clip-on tuner shows the note for each string as you turn the peg.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
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