Open D Tuning

Mic off

Open D D A D 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

In Open D tuning the open strings play a D major chord with a deep, full sound. It is popular for slide, folk and fingerstyle guitar.

What is open D tuning?

Four strings change from standard tuning: the 6th string drops from E to D, the 3rd string from G to F#, the 2nd string from B to A and the 1st string from E to D. That gives D A D F# A D from low to high.

All of those changes lower the strings, so the guitar feels a little looser. Laying one finger across all six strings at any fret plays a major chord, which makes Open D great for slide.

Open D tuning notes

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

StringNoteFrequency
6th (thickest)D273.42 Hz
5thA2110.00 Hz
4thD3146.83 Hz
3rdF♯3185.00 Hz
2ndA3220.00 Hz
1st (thinnest)D4293.66 Hz

How to tune to Open D

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and change 4 strings:

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

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to Open D. 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 Open D

  • A deep, full D major chord on the open strings.
  • One-finger major chords for slide guitar.
  • Great for fingerstyle songs and drones in D.

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 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

Open D tuning FAQ

How do I tune to open D tuning?

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E). Lower the 6th string (E) a whole step to D. Lower the 3rd string (G) a half 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 Open D, 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 D back to E. 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 Open D and Open E?

They use the same pattern of notes. Open E is Open D tuned a whole step higher, so the shapes are identical. Open D lowers strings and Open E raises them, so Open D is easier on the strings and the neck.