8-String Guitar Tuning

Mic off

8-string standard F♯ B E A D G B E

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

Detect string

A4 calibration

440Hz
  • Space Start / stop
  • 1-8 Play a string
  • A Auto detect

Standard tuning on an 8-string guitar is F# B E A D G B E: six-string standard with a low B and a low F# added underneath.

What is 8-string standard tuning?

The top six strings match a regular guitar, the 7th string is a low B, and the 8th string is an F# a fourth below that. The lowest string sits around 46 Hz, close to the range of a bass guitar.

A popular variation is Drop E, which drops the 8th string a whole step from F# to E, an octave below a regular low E string.

8-string standard tuning notes

8-string standard from the thickest string to the thinnest is F♯ B E A D G B E. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
8th (thickest)F♯146.25 Hz
7thB161.74 Hz
6thE282.41 Hz
5thA2110.00 Hz
4thD3146.83 Hz
3rdG3196.00 Hz
2ndB3246.94 Hz
1st (thinnest)E4329.63 Hz

How to tune to 8-string standard

Tune each open string to the notes above, from the thickest string to the thinnest.

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to 8-string standard. Press the mic button, play each open string and let it ring, then turn the tuning peg until the string lights up green. Tune up slowly, a little at a time, and give the string a moment to settle.

Why guitarists use 8-string standard

  • Bass-like low notes with the top strings of a normal guitar.
  • Room for wide chord voicings and extended range riffs.
  • Drop E is only one string away.

Other guitar tunings

Drop DD A D G B E Half step downE♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ D standardD G C F A D Drop CC G C F A D Drop C#C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯ Drop BB F♯ B E G♯ C♯ DADGADD A D G A D Open GD G D G B D Open DD A D F♯ A D Open EE B E G♯ B E Open CC G C G C E 7-string standardB E A D G B E 7-string Drop AA E A D G B E 9-string standardC♯ F♯ B E A D G B E

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8-string standard tuning FAQ

How do I tune to 8-string standard tuning?

Play each open string, from the thickest to the thinnest, and turn its tuning peg until the tuner lights up green. The notes are F# B E A D G B E from low to high.

What is 8-string Drop E?

Drop E lowers the 8th string from F# to E, giving E B E A D G B E. The low E is an octave below a regular six-string's low E. Pick Drop with Strings set to 8 on the tuner.