Open E Tuning

Mic off

Open E E B E G♯ B E

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

Detect string

A4 calibration

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

In Open E tuning the open strings play a bright E major chord. It is a favorite for slide guitar and has the same shapes as Open D, a whole step higher.

What is open E tuning?

Three strings go up from standard tuning: the 5th string from A up to B, the 4th string from D up to E, and the 3rd string from G up to G#. That gives E B E G# B E from low to high.

Raising strings adds tension, so tune up slowly and stop if a string feels too tight. Some players tune to Open D instead, which uses the same shapes a whole step lower with less tension.

Open E tuning notes

Open E from the thickest string to the thinnest is E B E G♯ B E. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
6th (thickest)E282.41 Hz
5thB2123.47 Hz
4thE3164.81 Hz
3rdG♯3207.65 Hz
2ndB3246.94 Hz
1st (thinnest)E4329.63 Hz

How to tune to Open E

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and change 3 strings:

  1. Raise the 5th string (A) a whole step to B.
  2. Raise the 4th string (D) a whole step to E.
  3. Raise the 3rd string (G) a half step to G#.

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

  • A bright, ringing E major chord on the open strings.
  • One-finger major chords for slide guitar.
  • Matches songs in E, a very common key for blues and rock.

Learn to play in Open E

Hear it played and try it yourself with these video lessons from the Infinite Guitar library:

Alternate Tunings - Part 1: Open E Major Richard Lundmark Alternate Tunings - Part 2: Open E Major Richard Lundmark

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 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 E tuning FAQ

How do I tune to open E tuning?

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E). Raise the 5th string (A) a whole step to B. Raise the 4th string (D) a whole step to E. Raise the 3rd string (G) a half step to G#. The tuner on this page is already set to Open E, so play each string and turn it until it lights up green.

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Lower the 5th string from B back to A. Lower the 4th string from E back to D. Lower the 3rd string from G# back to G. Or pick Standard under the tuner and tune each string until it turns green.

Is Open E bad for my guitar?

Tuning three strings up adds a little extra tension to the neck. Most guitars handle it fine, but if you plan to leave it in Open E for a long time, Open D (the same shapes a whole step lower) is gentler.