Chromatic Tuner

Tune any instrument to perfect pitch with this free online chromatic tuner. Classic needle-gauge display, 15+ instrument presets (guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, cello, banjo, mandolin and more), strobe mode, adjustable A4 reference, and reference tone playback. 100% browser-based — no downloads, no data uploaded.

🔒 100% private — all pitch detection runs locally in your browser. No audio is ever uploaded or stored.

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Space Start/Stop F Freeze R Ref Tone C Calibrate T Strobe ↑↓ A4 Adjust

Microphone:

Sensitivity -45 dB

Instrument:

—

— Hz

— ¢

WAITING

A4 Reference: 440.0 Hz

FROZEN

Analyze Audio File

📁 Drop audio file here or click to browse MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC — max 50 MB

Session Stats

Readings

In Tune

—%

Best Cents

—

Duration

0:00

History Log

Time	Note	Hz	Cents	String

How to Use the Chromatic Tuner

Select Your Instrument

Choose from 15+ presets — Guitar (Standard, Drop D, Open G, DADGAD), Bass, Ukulele, Violin, Viola, Cello, Banjo, Mandolin, 12-String, or Chromatic mode for any note. The string buttons update to show target notes for your tuning.
Start the Tuner

Click "Start Tuner" and grant microphone permission. Select your preferred input device if you have multiple microphones. All processing happens 100% locally in your browser — no audio is uploaded.
Play a String

Pluck or bow a single string. The tuner automatically detects the pitch and shows the nearest note on the gauge. If you selected an instrument preset, the nearest target string is highlighted. Click a string button to lock to a specific string.
Read the Needle Gauge

The needle swings left for flat and right for sharp. Center (0 cents) means perfectly in tune. The display glows green when you are within ±5 cents. Tune your instrument until the needle is centered and the badge shows "IN TUNE".
Use Reference Tones & Strobe Mode

Click "Play Reference Tone" to hear the target pitch through your speakers. Toggle Strobe Mode for an alternative visualization where horizontal bars stop scrolling when in tune — preferred by many professional tuners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What instruments can this chromatic tuner tune?

This tuner works with any pitched instrument. Built-in presets include Guitar (Standard, Drop D, Open G, DADGAD), Bass (4- and 5-string), Ukulele (Soprano and Tenor), Violin, Viola, Cello, Banjo, Mandolin, and 12-String Guitar. Select "Chromatic" mode to tune any note without preset strings.

How accurate is the chromatic tuner?

The YIN pitch detection algorithm achieves ±1–2 cents accuracy for clear, sustained tones. For best results, tune in a quiet environment with your instrument close to the microphone. Use the Calibrate button to filter background noise.

What is the difference between chromatic and instrument mode?

Chromatic mode detects any note and shows cents deviation from the nearest semitone. Instrument mode (e.g., Guitar Standard) shows string buttons and auto-detects which string you are playing, displaying cents deviation from that specific target pitch. Use instrument mode for faster tuning of specific strings.

What is strobe mode and when should I use it?

Strobe mode displays scrolling horizontal bars that move at a speed proportional to the pitch error. When the bars stop moving, you are in tune. Strobe tuners are favored by professional technicians because they make very small pitch deviations easier to see than a needle gauge. Toggle strobe mode with the button or press T.

Why would I change the A4 reference from 440 Hz?

Standard concert pitch is A4 = 440 Hz, but some orchestras tune to 442 Hz (common in Europe) or 443 Hz. Baroque ensembles often use 415 Hz. Some musicians prefer 432 Hz (alternative tuning). The A4 slider lets you match any ensemble's reference pitch. All note calculations update instantly.

Can I tune using an audio file instead of a microphone?

Yes! Drag an audio file (MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC) into the upload zone or click to browse. The tuner analyzes the file offline using an OfflineAudioContext and shows the detected pitch. This is useful for checking recordings or tuning reference files.

Is my audio data private?

Your audio is 100% private. All pitch detection happens entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio is recorded, stored, or transmitted. The tool works completely offline once loaded.

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