Banjo Tuner Online
Tune a 5-string banjo online with microphone pitch detection for Open G gDGBD, Double C, Sawmill, Open C, and more banjo tunings.
Standard 5-String Banjo Tuning: gDGBD
Standard 5-string banjo tuning is Open G, written as gDGBD. The short 5th string is the high G drone, followed by D3, G3, B3, and D4. This is the tuning most players use for bluegrass, Scruggs-style picking, and many beginner banjo songs.
- 5th string
- G4
- 4th string
- D3
- 3rd string
- G3
- 2nd string
- B3
- 1st string
- D4
Want the preset page? Open the standard Open G banjo tuner.
Banjo Tunings
Choose from popular banjo tunings. Each tuning page includes a pre-configured tuner and information about when to use it.
How to Tune a Banjo
Tuning your banjo is the first step to making great music. The standard 5-string banjo tuning is Open G (gDGBD). The strings are numbered 1 through 5, with string 1 being closest to the floor and string 5 being the short drone string that starts at the 5th fret.
The 5th string is tuned to a high G, which acts as a drone note and gives the banjo its characteristic ringing sound. This re-entrant tuning, where the shortest string is the highest pitched, is what makes the banjo unique among stringed instruments.
How to Use This Banjo Tuner
- Select your tuning from the dropdown menu (Standard Open G is selected by default).
- Click the microphone button and allow microphone access when prompted.
- Pluck a single string on your banjo. The tuner will automatically detect which string you're playing.
- You can also tap a specific string button to tune that string. The tuner will show how sharp or flat you are from the target note.
- Turn the tuning peg until the indicator is centered and the status shows "In Tune."
- Repeat for each string until your banjo is fully in tune.
Understanding Banjo Tuning
Standard Open G (gDGBD) — The most common tuning for 5-string banjo. Used in bluegrass, Scruggs-style three-finger picking, and most popular banjo music. The open strings form a G major chord.
Double C (gCGCD) — A popular alternate tuning used extensively in old-time and clawhammer banjo playing. Creates an open C chord and is used for many traditional Appalachian tunes.
Sawmill / Mountain Minor (gDGCD) — A modal tuning commonly used in old-time music for minor-key tunes. Also known as Mountain Minor tuning, it produces a haunting, modal sound.
Banjo Tuner Online FAQ
What is standard banjo tuning?
Standard banjo tuning is Open G (gDGBD) for a 5-string banjo. The short 5th string is tuned to a high G, and the remaining four strings are tuned D3-G3-B3-D4. This tuning is used for bluegrass, Scruggs-style picking, and most popular banjo music.
How do I tune a banjo?
Click the microphone button, allow mic access, then pluck each string one at a time. The tuner will detect which string you're playing and show how sharp or flat it is. Turn the tuning peg until the indicator is centered and shows 'In Tune.'
What is Double C tuning on banjo?
Double C tuning (gCGCD) is a popular alternate banjo tuning used in old-time and clawhammer playing. It creates an open C chord and is commonly used for traditional Appalachian music.
How many strings does a banjo have?
A standard banjo has 5 strings. The 5th string is shorter than the others and starts at the 5th fret, tuned to a high G note. This drone string is a defining characteristic of the banjo's sound.