Free Online Violin Tuner

How to use the violin tuner

1. Press Start tuner and allow the microphone when your browser asks.
2. Start with the A string. Pluck it, or bow it gently, close to the microphone.
3. If the tuner says the string is too low, tighten it a little. If it says too high, loosen it. For small changes, use the fine tuner for that string, described below.
4. When the note turns green and the tuner says it is in tune, tune the D, then the G, then the E.
5. Check all four once more at the end, and make sure the bridge is still standing straight.

You do not need to choose a string: the tuner finds the one that is ringing. To tune one string only, which helps when it is very far off, tap it under the tuner, and tap it again to go back. Press Hear to listen to the note first, a good way to train your ear.

Standard violin tuning

From the lowest, thickest string to the highest, a violin is tuned G D A E. Each string is a fifth above the one before it.

String	Note	Frequency
G (lowest)	G3	196.00 Hz
D	D4	293.66 Hz
A	A4	440.00 Hz
E (highest)	E5	659.26 Hz

Fine tuners and pegs

Fine tuners are the small screws on the tailpiece, below the bridge. They are for small adjustments, and they are the safest way for a beginner to tune. Turning a fine tuner clockwise raises the note, and counterclockwise lowers it. Many student violins have one on every string, while others have one only on the E.

Pegs are at the scroll end, and they are for bigger changes, such as a string that is far off or a fine tuner that has run out of room. A peg is held in place by friction, so push it gently inward as you turn it. Turn it only a tiny amount at a time. For young players, the pegs are best left to a parent or teacher at first, because a slipping peg can loosen the whole string.

Tips for a quick, accurate tune

• Go gently on the E string. It is the thinnest and breaks most easily, so use its fine tuner and turn slowly.
• Watch the bridge. Tuning, especially with the pegs, gradually pulls the top of the bridge toward the fingerboard. If it starts to lean, ask a teacher or a violin shop to straighten it.
• Find a quiet spot so the microphone hears only the violin.
• Tune before every practice. Violins drift with changes in temperature and humidity, so a quick check every time is normal.

Common questions

Does this tuner record me? No. The sound is analyzed inside your browser while the tuner is on, and it never leaves your device. Press Stop, or close the page, and the microphone turns off.

Should I pluck or bow the string? Either works. A gentle, steady bow stroke gives a longer note for the tuner to read, while plucking is easier for very young players.

Can my child tune their own violin? Many beginners learn to use the fine tuners within a few weeks. Leave the pegs to a teacher or parent until your child is confident.