Mute the neighboring string
Pluck one string at a time so the microphone follows the intended fundamental instead of the louder member of the pair.
12-string standard tuning
Free Online 12-String Guitar Tuner
Tune all six paired courses with octave-aware targets. The lower E, A, D, and G courses use octave pairs, while the B and high E courses are tuned in unison.
Tune one string at a time and bring the guitar up to pitch gradually. Twelve strings create more total tension, so recheck every course after the first pass.
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Target Frequency: 82.4 Hz
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Six paired courses
Standard 12-string target notes
Tune the normal-pitch string first, then its octave or unison partner. The physical order inside a course can vary by guitar, but the pitch targets stay the same.
| Course | Main string | Paired string | Pair type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 6 | E2 · 82.41 Hz | E3 · 164.81 Hz | Octave pair |
| Course 5 | A2 · 110.00 Hz | A3 · 220.00 Hz | Octave pair |
| Course 4 | D3 · 146.83 Hz | D4 · 293.66 Hz | Octave pair |
| Course 3 | G3 · 196.00 Hz | G4 · 392.00 Hz | Octave pair |
| Course 2 | B3 · 246.94 Hz | B3 · 246.94 Hz | Unison pair |
| Course 1 | E4 · 329.63 Hz | E4 · 329.63 Hz | Unison pair |
Before you tune
Treat each course as a pair
A clean 12-string sound comes from matching both strings inside every course, not from tuning only the six familiar note names.
Check the octave
The thinner E, A, D, and G partner strings sit one octave above the normal guitar strings.
Recheck after tension settles
Bringing twelve strings to pitch changes total neck tension, so the first courses may move during the initial pass.
Tuning workflow
How to tune a 12-string guitar
Work course by course and use smaller tuning-peg movements on the thin octave strings.
- 1
Start with the guitar near standard pitch and mute strings you are not checking.
- 2
Tune the six main strings to E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4.
- 3
Tune the lower four partner strings to E3, A3, D4, and G4.
- 4
Tune both strings in the B course to B3 and both strings in the high E course to E4.
- 5
Play each pair together and correct any obvious beating or wobble.
- 6
Repeat the full pass after the guitar settles, then check a few open chords.
12-string FAQ
Common 12-string tuning questions
The note names are familiar; the octave and unison pairing is what needs extra attention.
Is a 12-string guitar tuned like a normal guitar?
It uses the same E A D G B E course names, but each course has two strings. The lower four pairs use octaves and the top two use unisons.
Why do both B or high E buttons respond together?
Those pairs share the same note and octave. A microphone cannot identify which physical unison string was plucked, so tune the two strings separately to the same target.
Should I tune both strings in a course at once?
No. Tune one string at a time, then play the pair together as a final check. Two simultaneous pitches can make any tuner jump between partials.
Keep learning
Understand the course layout
Use the full guide for restringing and troubleshooting context, or compare the six-string and octave-only workflows.