How to Tune a Guitar to Drop C
Updated Nov 12, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Drop C tunes a guitar to C G C F A D: the low E drops to C, the A drops to G, and the other strings follow. Tune the low string to C, then bring the rest down to match. A chromatic tuner reads each string, and an octave display shows which octave the low C sits in.
Set the tuner to chromatic mode
Chromatic mode reads any note, so it shows C, G, F, A and D for the dropped strings instead of expecting the notes of standard tuning. Set the calibration to A440 unless the other instruments you play with use a different reference: the KLIQ UberTuner-MAX covers 430 to 450 Hz, and the Snark ST-8HPT covers 432 and 442 Hz. Clip the tuner to the headstock before you start.
Drop the low E string to C
Pluck the low E string and loosen the peg until the tuner shows C. Turn the peg in small moves and watch the display settle on C, then pluck again to check it holds. The KLIQ UberTuner-MAX octave display shows which octave the C sits in, so a C in the wrong octave stands out. A string that sits at C and holds still after a pluck is in tune.
Bring the other strings down to match
Work through the A, D, G, B and high E strings, loosening each peg until the tuner shows G, C, F, A and D in order. Pluck the string again after each adjustment so the tuner reads the settled note. Leave the low C alone while you work through the other strings, and come back to it at the end.
Check each string again after tuning
Tuning a string changes the pull on the neck, so a string that was in tune can drift while you tune the next string. Go through all the strings again and adjust any that moved off its note. If a string keeps drifting, pluck it and let it settle before you adjust the peg again. New strings need more passes before they hold tune.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a chromatic mode, an octave display and calibration from 430 to 450 Hz, that reads by vibration and charges over USB.
- 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, with vulcanised rubber joints and Hyper-Snark tuning software.
- 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 against room noise, 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 does drop C tuning use?
Drop C tunes a guitar to C G C F A D, low to high. The low E drops to C, the A drops to G, and the other strings move down to match.
Can a standard guitar tuner tune to drop C?
A chromatic tuner can, since it reads any note and shows C for the low string. An octave display shows which octave the note sits in, and the KLIQ UberTuner-MAX has an octave display. A tuner stuck in guitar mode may expect the notes of standard tuning, so chromatic mode is the safe pick.
Why does my guitar keep going out of tune in drop C?
Tuning a string changes the pull on the neck, so other strings drift while you work through them. Lower strings sit looser, so check each string again after tuning and adjust any that moved. New strings stretch and need more passes before they hold tune.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
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