Free online guqin tuner with four common tunings — zhengdiao, jinwuxian, mansanxian and mansanliuxian — checking pitch and cents across all seven strings. Real-time microphone detection; audio stays in your browser.
How to tune: Guqin
- Pick a tuning above (if unsure, keep the first, standard one).
- Press “Start tuning” and allow the microphone in the browser prompt.
- Play one string at a time close to the mic and wait for a steady reading.
- Needle left (flat): tighten. Needle right (sharp): loosen. The green zone means in tune.
The seven strings run from the 1st (thickest) to the 7th. The common zhengdiao (F) tuning is C2-D2-F2-G2-A2-C3-D3. Choose the tuning in the preset first, then adjust each string slowly with the tuning pegs: left means raise, right means lower. Guqin strings are silk or nylon-steel and sit at low tension, so keep the movements gentle.
Guqin frequencies (A4 = 440 Hz)
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 1 | C2 | 65.41 |
| String 2 | D2 | 73.42 |
| String 3 | F2 | 87.31 |
| String 4 | G2 | 98.00 |
| String 5 | A2 | 110.00 |
| String 6 | C3 | 130.81 |
| String 7 | D3 | 146.83 |
Guqin tuning tips
A guqin is quiet and decays slowly, which makes it fairly easy to detect, but room noise affects the low strings noticeably, so tune in a quiet room. Pluck between the bridge and the studs, close to the first stud, for the most stable tone. The four tunings differ as follows: zhengdiao is the standard; jinwuxian raises the 5th string a semitone (A2 to B flat 2); mansanxian lowers the 3rd string a semitone (F2 to E2); mansanliuxian lowers both the 3rd and 6th. After switching tunings, recalibrate every string rather than reusing the previous readings.
This preset is an equal-temperament approximation. Guqin and guzheng tuning can vary by school, repertoire and player; follow your teacher or professional player when required.
Is microphone audio uploaded?
No. Web Audio analyzes sound in real time on your device. This page does not record, upload or store microphone audio.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between zhengdiao, jinwuxian and mansanxian?
Zhengdiao is the standard reference tuning. Jinwuxian raises the 5th string a semitone, mansanxian lowers the 3rd a semitone, and mansanliuxian lowers both the 3rd and 6th.
Is the 1st string the thickest on a guqin?
Yes. The 1st string is the thickest and lowest (C2 in zhengdiao) and the 7th is the thinnest and highest (D3).
Do silk and steel strings tune differently?
The target pitches are the same, but silk strings sit at lower tension and react more to temperature and humidity, so they need rechecking more often. Steel strings are more stable.
Why is the reading unstable on the low strings?
The low strings are low in frequency (C2 is about 65 Hz) and quiet. Move the instrument closer, play in a quiet room and hold the note for two to three seconds.
