How to Tune a Fiddle
Updated Nov 10, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure
Tune a fiddle to G, D, A, and E, from the lowest string to the highest, with the A string at 440 Hz. Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock, pluck each string in turn, and turn its tuning peg until the tuner shows the right note.
Clip the tuner to the headstock
Attach a clip-on tuner to the headstock and switch it to chromatic mode, so it reads the note of any string. Check the display is visible from where you sit before you start turning pegs.
Tune the A string first
Pluck the A string and watch the tuner. Turn its peg a little at a time until the tuner shows A at 440 Hz, then stop. Starting with A gives a fixed point to match the other strings against.
Tune the D, G, and E strings
Work through the D string, then the G string, then the E string, plucking each string and turning its peg until the tuner shows the right note. Turn pegs in small amounts, since a small turn moves the pitch a long way.
Use the fine tuners for small corrections
Once a string is close, use the fine tuner on the tailpiece for the last small change instead of the peg. Turn it a little, pluck the string again, and repeat until the tuner shows the note in tune.
Check the strings again
Tuning a string can shift the others, so pluck each string again after that pass and correct any that moved. Check the tuning again before you play, and wipe the strings with a soft dry cloth when you put the fiddle away.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a chromatic mode, an octave display, and a dedicated violin mode, so it reads each fiddle string and shows which octave the note 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 the readout turns to face the player while tuning.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with an anechoic sound shield that keeps room noise out and a bright screen, for tuning where other sound is going on.
- 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 fiddle to?
G, D, A, and E, from the lowest string to the highest. The A string sits at 440 Hz, and the other strings follow from it.
Can I tune a fiddle with a guitar tuner?
Yes, if the tuner has a chromatic mode, since that mode reads any note instead of guitar notes only. Clip it to the headstock and tune each string to G, D, A, or E.
Why does my fiddle go out of tune so fast?
New strings stretch and settle, and changes in temperature and humidity move the wood and the strings. Tune before each session and check the strings again after a few minutes of playing.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.