Drop C Tuning

Mic off

Drop C C G C F A D

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

Detect string

A4 calibration

440Hz
  • Space Start / stop
  • 1-6 Play a string
  • A Auto detect

Drop C is Drop D tuned a whole step lower: C G C F A D from low to high. It is one of the heaviest common tunings on a six-string guitar.

What is drop C tuning?

Start from D standard (every string a whole step down) and drop the 6th string one more whole step, from D to C. The bottom three strings are C, G and C, so one finger across them plays a power chord, just like in Drop D.

Drop C is a favorite for metal and hard rock. The strings are quite loose this low, so most players use a heavier set of strings to keep the low C tight and in tune.

Drop C tuning notes

Drop C from the thickest string to the thinnest is C G C F A D. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
6th (thickest)C265.41 Hz
5thG298.00 Hz
4thC3130.81 Hz
3rdF3174.61 Hz
2ndA3220.00 Hz
1st (thinnest)D4293.66 Hz

How to tune to Drop C

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and change 6 strings:

  1. Lower the 6th string (E) two whole steps to C.
  2. Lower the 5th string (A) a whole step to G.
  3. Lower the 4th string (D) a whole step to C.
  4. Lower the 3rd string (G) a whole step to F.
  5. Lower the 2nd string (B) a whole step to A.
  6. Lower the 1st string (E) a whole step to D.

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to Drop C. Press the mic button, play each open string and let it ring, then turn the tuning peg until the string lights up green. When you lower a string, go a little below the note and tune back up to it so it stays in tune.

Why guitarists use Drop C

  • Very heavy, low riffs with one-finger power chords.
  • The same shapes as Drop D, just a whole step lower.
  • A big low end without needing a 7-string guitar.

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 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 8-string standardF♯ B E A D G B E 9-string standardC♯ F♯ B E A D G B E

Back to the online guitar tuner

Drop C tuning FAQ

How do I tune to drop C tuning?

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E). Lower the 6th string (E) two whole steps to C. Lower the 5th string (A) a whole step to G. Lower the 4th string (D) a whole step to C. Lower the 3rd string (G) a whole step to F. Lower the 2nd string (B) a whole step to A. Lower the 1st string (E) a whole step to D. The tuner on this page is already set to Drop C, so play each string and turn it until it lights up green.

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Raise the 6th string from C back to E. Raise the 5th string from G back to A. Raise the 4th string from C back to D. Raise the 3rd string from F back to G. Raise the 2nd string from A back to B. Raise the 1st string from D back to E. Or pick Standard under the tuner and tune each string until it turns green.

What is the difference between Drop C and Drop D?

Drop C is Drop D with every string tuned a whole step lower. The shapes are identical, everything just sounds two frets lower.