Guitar Note Identifier
Identify guitar notes with an interactive fretboard visualization. Play any note and instantly see the string, fret, and note name highlighted on a full 22-fret diagram. Chord detection, tab notation output, and reference tone playback. 100% browser-based, private, no downloads.
Guitar Note Identifier Tool
e|--- B|--- G|--- D|--- A|--- E|---
How to Use the Guitar Note Identifier
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Select Your Tuning & Start Listening
Choose your guitar tuning from the dropdown (Standard, Drop D, DADGAD, Open G, etc.). Click "Start Listening" and allow microphone access. All processing runs 100% locally in your browser.
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Play a Note or Strum a Chord
Play any note on your guitar. For single notes, the tool identifies the exact string, fret, and note name. Strum multiple strings quickly to trigger chord detection. Hold the note for best accuracy.
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Read the Fretboard & Note Display
The detected note appears in the large display with Hz and cents deviation. The fretboard diagram highlights the exact position with a glow effect. String and fret badges show the position (e.g., "String 3, Fret 5 = C4").
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Use Reference Tones & Tab Output
Click any fret on the interactive fretboard to hear that note. Watch the tab notation build as you play. Use Freeze to lock the display, or export your session as CSV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar tunings does this support?
The Guitar Note Identifier supports 7 tunings: Standard (EADGBE), Drop D, DADGAD, Open G, Open D, Half Step Down, and Full Step Down. The fretboard diagram, string labels, and note calculations all update automatically when you switch tunings.
How does chord detection work?
When you strum multiple strings within a short time window (about 500ms), the tool collects the distinct pitch classes detected and matches them against common chord patterns (major, minor, 7th, etc.). For best results, strum clearly and let the strings ring out. Single-note detection is more accurate than chord detection.
How accurate is the string and fret detection?
The YIN pitch detection algorithm achieves ±1-2 cents accuracy for clear, sustained notes. String and fret identification is highly accurate for standard guitar range (E2 to E6). For best results, play single notes cleanly in a quiet environment with the guitar close to the microphone.
Can I click the fretboard to hear a note?
Yes! Click any position on the interactive fretboard canvas to hear that note played as a reference tone. The tool calculates the correct frequency based on the string's open tuning and the fret position using equal temperament. This is great for ear training or checking if your guitar is in tune at a specific fret.
What does the tab notation output show?
As you play notes, the tool builds a text-based guitar tablature showing which fret to play on which string. This is displayed in standard tab format with 6 lines representing the 6 strings (high e on top, low E on bottom). You can clear and restart the tab at any time.
Is my audio data private?
Your audio is 100% private. All note detection runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio is recorded, stored, or transmitted to any server. The tool works completely offline once the page is loaded.
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