Acoustic Bass Tuning
Tune an acoustic bass guitar with your microphone, no cable needed.
Bass tuner
The tuner needs JavaScript and a microphone. The note table and frequencies below work without it.
Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded.
–
–
Microphone is blocked
The tuner can’t hear your bass until you allow the microphone for this site. 1. Open the site settings for this page (steps for your browser below). 2. Set Microphone to Allow, then press Try again.
No microphone found
Plug in or switch on a microphone, or use a phone or laptop with a built-in one, then press Try again.
The microphone is busy
Close other apps or tabs that use it, such as video calls or recorders, then press Try again.
No microphone access in this browser
Use a current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari, and check that the address starts with https://.
The microphone could not start
Reload the page and press Try again.
Chrome on a computer
Click the icon to the left of the web address, set Microphone to Allow, then reload the page.
Microsoft Edge
Click the lock icon to the left of the web address, open Permissions for this site, set Microphone to Allow and reload.
Firefox
Click the crossed-out microphone icon in the address bar, clear the blocked permission, reload and choose Allow when asked.
Safari on a Mac
Open Safari, Settings, Websites, Microphone, and set onlinebasstuner.app to Allow or Ask. Then reload the page.
iPhone or iPad
Tap the page menu (aA) in the address bar, open Website Settings and set Microphone to Allow or Ask. Then reload the page.
Chrome on Android
Tap the icon to the left of the web address, open Permissions and turn on Microphone. Then reload the page.
Or tune by ear: tap a string button below to hear its note, or use the reference tones ↓.
Reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz
An acoustic bass guitar is tuned the same as an electric bass: E A D G from the thickest string, at 41.20, 55.00, 73.42 and 98.00 Hz. Because it makes sound without an amp, a microphone tuner works well. Hold the microphone near the sound hole and play one string at a time.
| String | Note | Hz | Octave |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | E | 41.20 | 1 |
| 3 | A | 55.00 | 1 |
| 2 | D | 73.42 | 2 |
| 1 | G | 98.00 | 2 |
Getting a clean reading
- Place the microphone 10 to 30 cm from the sound hole.
- Mute the strings you are not tuning, because open strings ring along on an acoustic body.
- Let the note ring a moment before reading; the attack of a low string is briefly sharp.
Wood, weather and tuning
An acoustic body reacts to temperature and humidity, which can move the pitch between sessions. Let a cold instrument reach room temperature before you tune it.
Using a piezo pickup? You can also plug into an amp and hold the microphone near the speaker.
Questions and answers
How is an acoustic bass guitar tuned?
Like an electric bass: E A D G for a 4-string (E1 (41.20 Hz), A1 (55.00 Hz), D2 (73.42 Hz), G2 (98.00 Hz)), and B E A D G for a 5-string.
Can I tune an acoustic bass unplugged with this tuner?
Yes, that is what a microphone tuner is good at. Hold the phone or laptop close to the sound hole and pluck at normal strength. Acoustic basses are fairly quiet, so a quiet room helps.
Is an upright double bass tuned the same way?
An orchestral double bass is usually tuned E A D G in fourths, the same notes as a bass guitar. Some players use other tunings, such as solo tuning a whole step higher, or a low C extension.
More bass tools
- Online bass tunerTune with your microphone
- 4-string bassE A D G
- 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
- Ukulele bassRubber and nylon strings
- Online guitar tunerSister site for guitar
Last updated October 23, 2026.