Cello Tuner Online
Tune standard CGDA strings with microphone pitch detection, then check each cello tuning note and frequency.
Cello Tuning Notes and Frequencies (CGDA)
Standard cello tuning is C2, G2, D3, and A3 from the lowest string to the highest. These frequencies use A4 = 440 Hz concert pitch.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| C string (lowest) | C2 | 65.41 Hz |
| G string | G2 | 98.00 Hz |
| D string | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| A string (highest) | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
Need string order and step-by-step instructions? Open the standard C-G-D-A cello tuning guide.
Cello Tunings
Choose from popular cello tunings. Each tuning page includes a pre-configured tuner and information about when to use it.
Cello Tuning Resources
Go beyond a green meter: calculate the correct reference for your ensemble, follow a safe tuning sequence, and diagnose the mechanical problems a microphone cannot see.
How to Tune a Cello
Tuning your cello is essential for producing beautiful music. This cello tuner online is set up for standard C-G-D-A tuning (from the lowest string to the highest). The strings are tuned in perfect fifths, which is the interval that defines the string family's characteristic sound.
Begin by tuning the A string to A3 (220 Hz). Then tune the D string a perfect fifth below A, followed by the G string a perfect fifth below D, and finally the C string a perfect fifth below G. Fine tuners on the tailpiece allow for small adjustments, while the pegs are used for larger changes.
How to Use This Cello Tuner
- Select your tuning from the dropdown menu (Standard CGDA is selected by default).
- Click the microphone button and allow microphone access when prompted.
- Bow or pluck a single string on your cello. 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 fine tuner or peg until the indicator is centered and the status shows "In Tune."
- Repeat for each string until your cello is fully in tune.
Understanding Cello Tuning
Standard (CGDA) — The universal tuning for cello, with strings tuned in perfect fifths: C2, G2, D3, A3. This tuning is used in classical, jazz, folk, and virtually all other cello genres.
Cello Tuning Tips — Always tune from below the pitch up to the target note, as this helps the string settle and hold its tuning better. New strings may need to be re-tuned frequently until they stretch and stabilize.
Perfect Fifths — Like the violin and viola, the cello is tuned in perfect fifths. This means each adjacent pair of strings is separated by an interval of a perfect fifth, giving the instrument its characteristic resonance when open strings ring together.
Cello Tuner Online FAQ
Can I use this cello tuner online for free?
Yes. CelloTuner.io is a free cello tuner online that runs in your browser. Click the microphone button, allow mic access, and tune standard CGDA strings without downloading an app.
What notes are standard cello tuning?
Standard cello tuning is C2-G2-D3-A3, usually written as CGDA from the lowest string to the highest. At A440 concert pitch, the open-string frequencies are 65.41 Hz, 98 Hz, 146.83 Hz, and 220 Hz.
Can this tuner hear cello strings through my microphone?
Yes. The tuner listens through your device microphone, detects the pitch of the string you bow or pluck, and shows whether it is sharp, flat, or in tune.
How do I tune a cello?
Select Standard CGDA, start the microphone tuner, then bow or pluck one string at a time. Adjust the fine tuner or peg until the indicator is centered for C2, G2, D3, and A3.
Is cello tuning the same as violin or viola tuning?
No. Cello tuning is C2-G2-D3-A3, one octave below viola tuning and much lower than violin tuning. All three instruments use perfect fifths between strings.