Online Mandolin Tuner
The mandolin is tuned like a violin, but each note is played by two strings. The tuner helps you set each string of a course, then bring the pair into perfect unison.
The microphone is only requested when you tap the button. Sound is analysed on your device; nothing is recorded. Open the full app
How to tune your mandolin, step by step
- Choose the mandolin tuning and place your phone near the sound hole or f-hole.
- Start with the A course (A4, 440 Hz). Mute one of the two strings with a finger and pluck the other one on its own.
- Adjust it with the tuning machine, then do the same with the second string of the course, muting the first.
- Now play both strings together: if you hear a wobble (beats), one of them is not quite in tune. Retune it on its own.
- Move on to the D course (D4, 293.66 Hz), then G (G3, 196.00 Hz) and E (E5, 659.26 Hz).
- Go around once more to check: eight strings are pulling on a floating bridge, which can slide or lean.
Notes and frequencies
| String | Note (A4 = 440) | Solfège (La3 = 440) | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G3 (×2) | Sol2 | 196.00 |
| 2 | D4 (×2) | Ré3 | 293.66 |
| 3 | A4 (×2) | La3 | 440.00 |
| 4 | E5 (×2) | Mi4 | 659.26 |
Strings in physical order, from the lowest in playing position. Frequencies calculated at A = 440 Hz in equal temperament. Tune to “Standard (unison courses)”
| String | Note (A4 = 440) | Solfège (La3 = 440) | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C3 (×2) | Do2 | 130.81 |
| 2 | G3 (×2) | Sol2 | 196.00 |
| 3 | D4 (×2) | Ré3 | 293.66 |
| 4 | A4 (×2) | La3 | 440.00 |
Strings in physical order, from the lowest in playing position. Frequencies calculated at A = 440 Hz in equal temperament. Tune to “Mandola”
| String | Note (A4 = 440) | Solfège (La3 = 440) | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G2 (×2) | Sol1 | 98.00 |
| 2 | D3 (×2) | Ré2 | 146.83 |
| 3 | A3 (×2) | La2 | 220.00 |
| 4 | E4 (×2) | Mi3 | 329.63 |
Strings in physical order, from the lowest in playing position. Frequencies calculated at A = 440 Hz in equal temperament. Tune to “Mandocello / octave mandolin”
Why tune the courses string by string?
Two strings plucked together produce a single note for the tuner, but if they differ by a few cents, the reading wobbles and the sound gets blurry. Playing them separately gives you a stable, precise reading for each one.
The app displays the doubled courses and identifies each string by its exact note. On the mandolin, both strings of a course are in unison: same note, same octave. Lock the course so the tuner doesn't jump to a neighboring string that is ringing.
Then comes the final unison, which is easy to judge by ear: the beats slow down as you get closer, then disappear. For the very thin E strings, turn the tuning machine in tiny steps.
Mandola and octave mandolin
The mandola is to the mandolin what the viola is to the violin: C3, G3, D4, A4 (130.81, 196.00, 293.66 and 440 Hz), a fifth lower. Note that the French word “mandole” also refers to Algerian and Kabyle instruments whose tuning varies from player to player: for those, create a custom tuning.
The app's mandocello preset actually corresponds to the octave mandolin, one octave below the mandolin: G2 (98.00 Hz), D3 (146.83 Hz), A3 (220.00 Hz), E4 (329.63 Hz). A true mandocello is tuned C G D A one octave below the mandola, like a cello: C2 at 65.41 Hz, G2, D3 and A3. You can save it as a custom tuning and share it by link with your mandolin orchestra.
On these lower instruments, bring the phone closer: phone microphones pick up less below 80 to 100 Hz.
Floating bridge and fret intonation
On most mandolins, the bridge is not glued: it is held in place by string pressure. After changing strings, check its position by comparing the open note with the note at the 12th fret (the octave). If the 12th fret is sharp, move the bridge slightly back toward the tailpiece; if it is flat, move it toward the neck.
Chromatic mode shows the note and the deviation in cents whatever fret you play, which makes this check quick. Expect real-world accuracy of ±2 to 3 cents with a phone microphone.
Tuning to play with others
Adjust the reference A if you play with an ensemble tuned to 442 Hz, or calibrate it on a piano note. For early music, a 415 Hz preset is available.
The built-in metronome and drone then help you practice tremolo in tempo and the intonation of double stops.
Frequently asked questions
Is the mandolin tuned like the violin?
Yes, the notes are the same: G3, D4, A4, E5. The difference is that each note is doubled by a course of two strings in unison.
How can I tell if both strings of a course are in unison?
Play them together: a regular wobble in the sound means they are apart. The slower the wobble, the closer you are; it disappears at unison.
Why does the needle move when I play both strings together?
Two slightly different strings create beats that make the reading swing. Tune them separately, muting the other string.
Which strings are most likely to break while tuning?
The E strings are the most fragile. Bring them up slowly without overshooting the note: the anti-breakage alert warns you if a string goes well above its target pitch.
How do I tune a mandola?
Choose the mandola tuning: C G D A, a fifth below the mandolin. For an Algerian mandole tuned differently, create a custom tuning.
Do I need an account to save a tuning?
No. Custom tunings are stored on your device and can be shared with a simple link, no account needed.