Online Chromatic Instrument Tuner
Play one sustained note. See its pitch and the small adjustment it needs.
Secure. Audio stays on your devicePlay one string or note at a time.
440 Hz is the usual concert reference. Select a string to tune towards its exact pitch, even when it is more than a semitone away.
In chromatic mode the reference tone is A4.
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How to use this instrument tuner
Start the tuner and allow microphone access. Choose chromatic mode for any note, or select an individual string. Play gently and let the note settle. A negative cents reading means the pitch is flat; a positive reading means it is sharp. Adjust towards zero, then play again.
One semitone contains 100 cents. The green reading appears within five cents of the target, a practical visual guide rather than a promise of precision. Tune each string more than once: changing one string can affect the others.
Why a tuner can show the wrong note
A microphone hears everything around it. Mute unused strings, avoid chords, and move away from fans or speakers. Distorted sounds and notes with strong harmonics can cause octave errors. Bass notes need a little longer to settle; a clean sustained sound usually gives the most useful reading.
Reference pitch and safe adjustments
Match the reference used by your band or recording. A4 at 440 Hz is common, but some ensembles use another reference. If you select a fixed target and see a very large offset, check the string and octave before turning the tuning peg. Make small adjustments and avoid excessive tension.
Using the Online Instrument Tuner
Check one string or sustained note at a time. A quiet room and a clean tone make it easier for the tuner to follow the pitch you actually want to tune.
Instructions
- Choose Target note and check Reference A4 (Hz). Leave the reference at 440 unless your ensemble uses another value.
- Click Start tuner and allow microphone access. Play one note, let the initial attack settle, and read the tuning offset.
- Adjust in small steps and play again. Hear target tone gives a listening reference; Stop tone ends it. Click Stop tuner when finished.
Understanding flat and sharp readings
A negative offset means the note is below the target; a positive offset means it is above. The center is zero cents. Chromatic mode follows the nearest note, so choose a fixed string target if the string is far from its intended pitch.
What to do if the tuner shows another note
- Mute the other strings and stop the reference tone before taking a microphone reading. Chords and speaker playback can confuse the detector.
- Check the target octave before tightening a string. Strong harmonics can make the display jump an octave.
- If there is no reading, check microphone permission, input selection and mute settings. On a phone, bring the instrument near the built-in microphone.
Tune all strings, then check them again. This browser tuner is a practical guide; it does not check your instrument's intonation across the whole neck.
