What changes
Lower strings five through one by five semitones from standard and set the sixth string to the very low A1 target.
Free online tuner · A4 = 440 Hz
Drop A tuner.
The floor, measured.
Tune all six open strings to A1 · E2 · A2 · D3 · F♯3 · B3. The microphone analysis runs on this device—never recorded or uploaded.
A1E2A2D3F♯3B3
What changes in Drop A?
D2 only
0/6 strings
In Drop A
Target
A1
Deviation
—
Cents
Detected
— Hz
Ready when you are
Signal: ready
Alternate tuning guide
How to tune to Drop A
Lower strings five through one by five semitones from standard and set the sixth string to the very low A1 target.
Playing character
An extended low register designed for extremely heavy parts and low one-finger power chords.
String tension note
A1 is unusually low for a conventional six-string; suitable strings, scale length, and setup are important for stable pitch.
A4 = 440 Hz
Drop A frequencies
Choose one string in the instrument above, pluck it open, and tune until the needle locks in the green center.
StringNoteTarget
6th · thickestA155.00 Hz
5thE282.41 Hz
4thA2110.00 Hz
3rdD3146.83 Hz
2ndF♯3185.00 Hz
1st · thinnestB3246.94 Hz
The whole change
Standard E goes down to D.
Keep the other five strings exactly where they are. The low string drops one whole step—two semitones—from 82.41 Hz to 73.42 Hz.
Tune in under a minute
How to tune your guitar to Drop D
-
01
Start with the thickest string
Select 6 · D2 above. If your guitar is in standard tuning, that string starts at E2 and needs to come down.
-
02
Pluck once, then turn slowly
Let the note ring near your device microphone. Flat means tune up; sharp means tune down. Approach D from slightly below to reduce tuning-post slack.
-
03
Check all six open strings
Drop D is D2 · A2 · D3 · G3 · B3 · E4. Recheck the low D after the other strings settle.
A4 = 440 Hz
Drop D string frequencies
These are equal-tempered targets. A browser microphone tuner is best used in a reasonably quiet room with one open string ringing at a time.
StringNoteTarget
6th · thickestD273.42 Hz
5thA2110.00 Hz
4thD3146.83 Hz
3rdG3196.00 Hz
2ndB3246.94 Hz
1st · thinnestE4329.63 Hz
Why players keep it
One finger. A much bigger floor.
With the sixth string at D, the lowest three open strings are D–A–D. A root-fifth-octave power chord sits under one finger across the same fret, while familiar chord shapes on the upper five strings stay where you learned them.
Clear answers
Drop D tuning FAQ
What is Drop D tuning?
Drop D is standard guitar tuning with only the lowest sixth string tuned down one whole step, from E2 to D2. The six open strings become D2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4.
What frequency is low D in Drop D tuning?
With A4 set to 440 Hz, the low sixth-string D2 target is approximately 73.42 Hz.
Does this tuner record or upload my microphone audio?
No. Microphone samples are analyzed temporarily in your browser and are not recorded, stored, or uploaded by this site.
Why does the tuner ask me to choose a string?
A selected-string workflow avoids confusing the low D2 string with its D3 harmonic. Choose the string you are tuning, then pluck it clearly near your device microphone.
Six strings. One lower note.
Open the tuner