How to Use a Guitar Tuner
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Clip a tuner to the headstock, pluck a string, and turn its peg until the display shows the right note. A clip-on tuner reads vibration through the headstock, so room noise does not affect the reading. Standard tuning runs E A D G B E from the lowest string to the highest, with A440 as the reference pitch.
Clip the tuner to the headstock
Attach a clip-on tuner to the headstock so the clip grips the wood and the display faces you. The KLIQ tuner has a padded clip that grips firmly without scratching the headstock, and its full-color LED screen rotates to any angle. A clip-on tuner reads vibration through the headstock, so background noise does not reach the reading. Place the clip where the display stays in view while you turn the pegs.
Switch the tuner on and pick a mode
Turn the tuner on and select the mode for the instrument in hand. A chromatic mode reads any note, and the KLIQ adds dedicated modes for guitar, bass, violin, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo. The Snark ST-8HPT tunes guitar, bass, and all instruments. Leave the calibration at A440 unless the players around you tune to a different reference pitch.
Pluck a string and read the note
Pluck a string and let it ring while you watch the display. The tuner shows the note the string is sounding and whether it sits sharp or flat against the target. Standard tuning runs E A D G B E from the lowest string to the highest. The KLIQ octave display shows which octave the string is sounding in, so a low E does not get mistaken for a higher one.
Turn the peg until the note centers
Turn the tuning peg for the string you plucked and watch the display move toward the target note. Turn the peg a small amount, pluck the string again, and read the display again. If the note sits flat, tighten the string; if it sits sharp, loosen it. Repeat until the display centers on the target note and the string holds its pitch.
Repeat for each string
Move to the next string and repeat the same steps: pluck, read the note, and turn the peg until the display centers. Follow standard tuning E A D G B E from the lowest string to the highest, checking each string against its target note. When the last string is in tune, play through the strings again, since tightening one string can pull the others slightly off pitch.
Set calibration only when the group asks
Calibration sets the reference pitch the tuner measures against, and A440 is the standard reference. The KLIQ covers a calibration range of 430 to 450 Hz, and the Snark ST-8HPT offers pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz. Change the setting only when the players around you tune to a different reference, then return it to A440 for solo playing.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a chromatic mode, an octave display, and vibration-based pitch detection for guitar, bass, ukulele, and violin.
- 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, with vulcanised rubber joints.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with an anechoic sound shield 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 I tune a guitar to?
Standard tuning is E A D G B E from the lowest string to the highest, with A440 as the reference pitch. Tune each string to its note in that order, and check the tuning again after the last string.
Why does my tuner show the wrong octave?
A tuner can read a harmonic or a neighboring octave instead of the string itself. The KLIQ octave display shows which octave the string is sounding in, so check the readout before turning the peg. Pluck the string again and let it ring while you read the display.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
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