Free Online Violin Tuner
Chromatic tuner with variable A4 pitch selection (415 to 443 Hz), perfect fifths mode, drone mode, and orchestral-grade accuracy of plus or minus 2 cents. Also supports viola, cello, and fiddle cross-tunings.
Why Use This Violin Tuner?
Variable A4 Pitch
Set your reference from 415 Hz (Baroque) to 443 Hz. Tune to your orchestra's standard without guessing.
Perfect Fifths Mode
See the exact interval in cents between each string pair. Verify your fifths are pure at 702 cents.
Drone Mode
Double-tap any string for a sustained reference tone. Train your ear to match pitch by listening, not watching.
Orchestral Accuracy
Plus or minus 2 cent precision meets professional tuning standards. Fine enough for section playing and solo performance.
Fiddle Cross-Tunings
Includes AEAE, ADAE, GDGD, and AEAC# presets used in bluegrass, old-time, and Celtic music traditions.
Viola & Cello Support
Built-in presets for viola (C-G-D-A) and cello (C-G-D-A, two octaves lower). All frequencies recalculate with your chosen A4 pitch.
How to Tune Your Violin
- 1
Start with the A string
The A string is your anchor. Click Start Tuner, play the open A, and adjust your fine tuner or peg until the needle centers.
- 2
Set the right A4 pitch
If your orchestra tunes to 442 Hz, select it from the pitch selector. The tuner recalculates all target frequencies automatically.
- 3
Tune D from A
Play A and D together. Listen for a pure fifth with no beating. Enable fifths mode to verify the interval reads 702 cents.
- 4
Tune G from D
Same process: play D and G together, adjusting G until the fifth is clean and centered.
- 5
Tune E from A
Finally, tune the E string against the A. The E string is the thinnest and most sensitive to small adjustments.
- 6
Double-check
Play all four open strings and listen for overall resonance. On a well-tuned violin, you should hear sympathetic vibrations ring through the instrument.
A4 Pitch Reference Guide
Not all music uses A=440. Different ensembles, historical periods, and regional traditions each have their own standard. Here is what each setting means.
Used by period instrument groups performing Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. About a half step lower than modern pitch.
Some historically informed ensembles performing Mozart and Beethoven use this slightly lower pitch.
The ISO standard since 1955. Used by most American orchestras, bands, and solo performers.
Many European orchestras tune to 441 or 442 Hz for a brighter, more projecting sound. The Berlin Philharmonic, for example, famously tunes above 440.
Some soloists and chamber groups push slightly higher for extra brilliance, though this is rare.
Perfect Fifths Explained
Unlike guitar (which uses a mix of thirds and fourths), the violin is tuned entirely in perfect fifths. Each adjacent pair of strings is separated by 702 cents, or a frequency ratio of 3:2.
Why this matters:
- A pure fifth has no beating or wavering when two strings ring together.
- Even 1 to 2 cents of error compounds across the instrument, causing noticeable dissonance.
- Tuning by ear with fifths trains the ear far better than relying on a meter alone.
- Our fifths mode shows the exact cent value of each interval so you can verify accuracy.
To develop your ear: use drone mode on one string, then tune the adjacent string until the beating stops completely. This skill is essential for orchestral playing where ensemble intonation depends on every player's ability to hear pure intervals.
Common Tuning Problems and Solutions
E string keeps going sharp
The E is the thinnest and most sensitive. Use the fine tuner for micro-adjustments. Always approach the target pitch from below (flat) rather than above.
Pegs slip or stick
Apply peg compound (peg dope) for a smooth, grippy fit. Push the peg gently inward while turning. Avoid jerky movements.
New strings won't hold pitch
New strings stretch significantly in the first 48 to 72 hours. Tune up, play for a few minutes, retune. Repeat until they stabilize.
Tuner picks up the wrong string
Mute the other strings with your fingers while tuning. Pluck closer to the bridge for a cleaner fundamental tone. Our tuner auto-detects the closest matching string.
Sound is dull or muted after tuning
Check your bridge alignment. A crooked bridge dampens resonance and can also cause strings to go out of tune unevenly.
Open strings sound in tune but stopped notes are off
This indicates an intonation or string quality issue. Old strings lose their ability to vibrate consistently. Replace strings that show false or uneven tone.
Who Is This Tuner For?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tune a violin?
A violin is tuned in perfect fifths: G3, D4, A4, E5 (lowest to highest). Start with the A string using our tuner, then tune each adjacent string by matching the interval of a perfect fifth.
What is the standard tuning for a violin?
Standard tuning is G-D-A-E, from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest). Each string is separated by a perfect fifth, which equals 702 cents.
What does A=442 Hz mean?
A=442 means the A4 note is set to 442 Hz instead of the standard 440 Hz. Many European orchestras tune to A=442 for a slightly brighter sound. Our tuner lets you set any reference pitch from 415 Hz to 443 Hz.
What is Baroque tuning?
Baroque tuning uses A=415 Hz, roughly a half step lower than modern pitch. Period instrument ensembles use this pitch to match the sound composers like Bach and Vivaldi would have heard.
How do I tune by perfect fifths?
Play two adjacent strings together. A pure fifth sounds smooth with no 'beating' or wavering. Our fifths mode shows the interval in cents between each string pair so you can verify they are exactly 702 cents apart.
What is drone tuning?
Drone tuning plays a continuous reference tone while you tune your string by ear. Double-tap any string in our tuner to activate drone mode. This helps train your ear to recognize pure intervals.
Can I use this tuner for viola?
Yes. Select the Viola (C-G-D-A) preset from the tuning menu. The viola is tuned a perfect fifth lower than the violin, with C3 as the lowest string.
Can I tune a cello with this?
Absolutely. Choose the Cello (C-G-D-A) preset. The cello uses the same note names as the viola but two octaves lower, and our tuner handles the full frequency range.
What are fiddle cross-tunings?
Cross-tunings change one or more strings from standard pitch to create open drone intervals. Common fiddle tunings include AEAE, ADAE, GDGD, and AEAC#. These are used in bluegrass, old-time, and Celtic music.
Why does my violin go out of tune quickly?
New strings stretch and need frequent retuning for the first few days. Temperature and humidity changes also affect pitch. Peg slipping is another common cause; applying peg compound or using fine tuners on the tailpiece can help.
Should I use fine tuners or pegs?
Fine tuners on the tailpiece make small, precise adjustments and are ideal for beginners. Pegs handle large pitch changes. Many violinists use a fine tuner on the E string and pegs for the rest.
How accurate is this violin tuner?
Our tuner displays pitch accuracy within plus or minus 2 cents, which meets orchestral tuning standards. It uses autocorrelation-based pitch detection for reliable results across the full violin range.