Ukulele Tuning Chart: Standard, Low G & Baritone

The ukulele’s harmonic identity comes from its re-entrant tuning. Standard soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles are tuned G4–C4–E4–A4, so the 4th string, nearest your chin in playing position, sounds higher than the 3rd and 2nd. The 3rd string holds the lowest note.

Any note in equal temperament referenced to A4 = 440 Hz is calculated as:

f = 440 × 2^((m − 69)/12)

where m is the MIDI number (C4 = 60, A4 = 69). The charts below give exact frequencies, MIDI values, string gauges and alternate tunings.

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1. Standard C Tuning (Re-entrant High G)

Standard tuning uses a high G string. Although the 4th string sits at the top of the fretboard, its pitch (G4 = 392.00 Hz) is above the 3rd string (C4 = 261.63 Hz) and the 2nd (E4 = 329.63 Hz); only the 1st (A4 = 440.00 Hz) is higher.

String	Note	Octave	Frequency (Hz)	MIDI	Relation
4	G (high G)	G4	392.00	67	Major second below the 1st string
3	C	C4	261.63	60	Middle C; lowest note on the instrument
2	E	E4	329.63	64	Major third above the C string
1	A	A4	440.00	69	Concert pitch reference

In notation the lowercase g in gCEA marks the high G: the string sounds in the fourth octave, above middle C, rather than below it.

What re-entrant tuning does to chords

A small ukulele body cannot support a strong low fundamental, and re-entrant voicings pack the chord tones between C4 and A4, which gives strummed chords their bell-like character. The open C chord (0003) sounds G4, C4, E4 and C5: the lowest note is C4 = 261.63 Hz, so every strummed chord sits in the same narrow band. Add a low G and the same shape sounds G3, C4, E4, C5, a second-inversion C chord with a real bass note.

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2. Low G Tuning (Linear Ascending)

Low G replaces the 4th string with a thicker, usually wound string tuned an octave lower at G3 = 196.00 Hz. Pitch now ascends from the 4th string to the 1st, five semitones below middle C.

String	Note	Octave	Frequency (Hz)	MIDI	Change from standard
4	G (low G)	G3	196.00	55	−12 semitones (−1200 cents)
3	C	C4	261.63	60	Unchanged
2	E	E4	329.63	64	Unchanged
1	A	A4	440.00	69	Unchanged

Low G suits fingerstyle and jazz: it adds a bass register and makes descending runs continuous. A wound low G can need a wider nut slot.

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3. Baritone Ukulele Tuning (DGBE)

The baritone is the largest member, with a scale length around 19 to 21 inches. It is tuned linearly D3–G3–B3–E4, the top four strings of a standard guitar.

String	Note	Octave	Frequency (Hz)	MIDI	Guitar equivalence
4	D	D3	146.83	50	Guitar 4th string
3	G	G3	196.00	55	Guitar 3rd string
2	B	B3	246.94	59	Guitar 2nd string
1	E	E4	329.63	64	Guitar 1st string

The interval pattern matches a guitar, so guitarists adapt quickly.

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4. Common Ukulele Tunings at a Glance

Tuning	4th string	3rd string	2nd string	1st string	Character
Standard C (high G)	G4 392.00	C4 261.63	E4 329.63	A4 440.00	Re-entrant; bright, close-voiced chords
Low G	G3 196.00	C4 261.63	E4 329.63	A4 440.00	Linear; adds a bass register
Baritone (DGBE)	D3 146.83	G3 196.00	B3 246.94	E4 329.63	Linear; guitar-like
D tuning (A D F# B)	A4 440.00	D4 293.66	F#4 369.99	B4 493.88	Whole step above standard

D tuning was the common American ukulele pitch in the early 20th century; it is also re-entrant, with A4 above D4.

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5. Typical String Gauge Ranges

Gauges depend on body size, scale length and material. Ukulele sets have no universal standard, so the ranges below are common manufacturer benchmarks.

Body size	String 4	String 3	String 2	String 1	Typical material
Soprano (standard C)	.024 – .028 in	.032 – .036 in	.028 – .032 in	.022 – .025 in	Clear nylon or Nylgut
Concert (standard C)	.025 – .028 in	.033 – .038 in	.029 – .032 in	.023 – .026 in	Nylon or fluorocarbon
Tenor (low G option)	.030 – .036 in (wound)	.035 – .040 in	.030 – .033 in	.024 – .028 in	Wound 4th plus monofilament
Baritone (DGBE)	.035 – .042 in (wound)	.030 – .034 in (wound)	.030 – .034 in (plain)	.024 – .026 in (plain)	Silver-plated copper on nylon

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6. Troubleshooting the Common Confusions

• The tuner names the wrong octave. Phone tuners often show a note name without an octave, so high G and low G both read “G”. The Ukulele Tuner has separate presets for standard C, low G and baritone, so the target octave is fixed.
• Tuning the 4th string down to G3 by mistake. Dropping the 4th string to G3 leaves it slack and buzzing. If it feels loose and dull, you are an octave low; bring it back up to G4 = 392.00 Hz.
• New strings that will not stay put. Nylon and Nylgut strings creep for the first day or two; a string that drops 30 cents in ten minutes is normal, not defective.
• Tuning the 1st string to A5. A4 = 440.00 Hz is the target. An octave higher is 880 Hz and will break a nylon string.
• Humidity. Below about 40% relative humidity the top sinks and tuning drifts; keep the instrument between 45% and 60% RH.

For step-by-step technique, see How to Tune a Ukulele. Outside the three presets, a Chromatic Tuner reads the note directly.