4-String Bass Tuning (E A D G)
Standard tuning, notes and frequencies, with a tuner for each string.
Bass tuner
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Or tune by ear: tap a string button below to hear its note, or use the reference tones ↓.
Reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz
Standard tuning for a 4-string bass is E A D G, from the thickest string to the thinnest. The notes are E1 at 41.20 Hz, A1 at 55.00 Hz, D2 at 73.42 Hz and G2 at 98.00 Hz. Use the tuner above or tap a string to hear its note.
| String | Note | Hz | Octave |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | E | 41.20 | 1 |
| 3 | A | 55.00 | 1 |
| 2 | D | 73.42 | 2 |
| 1 | G | 98.00 | 2 |
How to tune a 4-string bass
- Start with the 4th string, the low E. Play it open and turn its peg until the tuner says In tune.
- Do the same for A, D and G.
- Play all four again. If one moved, touch it up.
Check by ear with the 5th fret
On a bass in standard tuning, the 5th fret of each string gives the same note as the next open string: E string 5th fret = A, A string 5th fret = D, D string 5th fret = G. If the two notes beat against each other (a slow wobble), one of the strings is slightly off.
Common alternatives
Many players lower the E to D (Drop D) or tune all strings down a half step or a whole step. Lower tunings use the same tuner: pick the preset above.
Questions and answers
What is standard tuning for a 4-string bass?
E A D G, from the thickest to the thinnest string: E1 (41.20 Hz), A1 (55.00 Hz), D2 (73.42 Hz), G2 (98.00 Hz).
Is bass tuned like the bottom four strings of a guitar?
The note names are the same, E A D G, but every bass string sounds one octave lower than the matching guitar string. The bass low E is about 41.2 Hz and the guitar low E about 82.4 Hz.
Why are the strings tuned in fourths?
Each string is five semitones (a perfect fourth) above the one below it. This means the 5th fret of every string gives the note of the next open string, which makes scales and patterns the same shape on all strings.
More bass tools
- Online bass tunerTune with your microphone
- 5-string bassB E A D G
- 6-string bassB E A D G C
- Drop D and lowerDrop D, D standard, half step down, Drop C
- Reference tonesTune by ear
- How to tune a bassStep by step
- Acoustic bassTuning without a cable
- Ukulele bassRubber and nylon strings
- Online guitar tunerSister site for guitar
Last updated October 23, 2026.