Ukulele tuning
Ukulele D tuning (aDF♯B) Tuning
The older 'English' tuning a whole step higher than gCEA — brighter, used in many vintage songbooks.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | A4 | 440.00 Hz | 69 | perfect fifth down | |
| 3 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 62 | major third | |
| 2 | F♯4 | 369.99 Hz | 66 | perfect fourth | |
| 1 | B4 | 493.88 Hz | 71 | — |
Strings listed 4 → 1 as they sit on the instrument (top to bottom when playing). Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament.
Fretboard note map
| String | Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B |
| 2 | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ |
| 3 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 4 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
How to tune to D tuning (aDF♯B)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to A4, D4, F♯4, B4.
- Tune up to each pitch: if you overshoot, drop below and come back up so the string settles.
- Check every string once more — changing the tension of one string slightly pulls the others.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of D tuning (aDF♯B) tuning?
A4 (440.00 Hz), D4 (293.66 Hz), F♯4 (369.99 Hz), B4 (493.88 Hz).
How do I tune a ukulele to D tuning (aDF♯B)?
Tune each string to the pitches above with a chromatic tuner, starting from the lowest string; then re-check, because changing one string's tension slightly detunes the others.