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Violin Tuner

Put your phone near the violin and bow or pluck an open string. The tuner shows which string it hears, how many cents off it is, and which way to turn. It starts on violin G D A E; switch to viola or cello above, and change A4 to 442 Hz if your orchestra uses it.

Runs in your browser — nothing you enter is uploaded

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−50 ¢0+50 ¢

Strings (tap to hear the note and tune only that string)

The sound is analysed in your browser while you tune. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
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How to use

  1. Violin (G D A E) is selected. For viola or cello, switch at the top.
  2. Tap Start tuning and allow microphone access.
  3. Bow or pluck one open string. Left of centre is flat, right is sharp. Tune until it turns green.
  4. Start with the A string, then D, G and E.

Options explained

Target notes
Violin G3 196.00 Hz, D4 293.66 Hz, A4 440 Hz and E5 659.26 Hz, from the thickest string to the thinnest.
Reference A4
440 Hz by default. Many orchestras and teachers use 442 Hz, so match whatever your group uses.
Cents (¢)
A semitone is 100 cents. Within ±5 cents shows as in tune.

Target notes for bowed strings

Instrument 4th string (thickest) 3rd 2nd 1st (thinnest)
Violin G3 196.00 Hz D4 293.66 Hz A4 440.00 Hz E5 659.26 Hz
Viola C3 130.81 Hz G3 196.00 Hz D4 293.66 Hz A4 440.00 Hz
Cello C2 65.41 Hz G2 98.00 Hz D3 146.83 Hz A3 220.00 Hz

All three are tuned in perfect fifths. The viola drops the violin’s E and adds a low C; the cello has the same note names as the viola, an octave lower.

Tuning fifths by ear

Get the A string right first, then bow A and D together. When the fifth is in tune the sound is clean and still; when it’s off you hear a wah-wah beating that gets faster the further off it is. Turn the D string until the beating stops, then do the same for G and E. Use the tuner to get close, then finish by ear.

Frequently asked questions

Pegs or fine tuners?

For big changes (tens of cents) use the peg, pushing it in as you turn so it doesn't slip. For a few cents, use the fine tuner on the tailpiece. If only the E string has a fine tuner, tune the others with the pegs.

My string broke while tuning.

It was probably taken too high. The E string is thinnest and breaks most easily. Watch the needle while you turn and slow down as you get close.

The needle jumps around.

Play one open string at a time with steady bow pressure, or pluck it. Move the phone closer in a noisy room. In-app browsers (Facebook, Instagram) may block the microphone, so open the page in your normal browser.

Is anything recorded?

No. The browser analyses the sound live while you tune and nothing is saved or uploaded.

Privacy

This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files and text are processed on your device and are never uploaded to our servers.

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