In standard tuning, a six-string guitar is E–A–D–G–B–E from the thickest sixth string to the thinnest first string. Numbering runs in the opposite visual direction many beginners expect: the high E is string 1 and the low E is string 6.
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Key takeaways
- Low-to-high standard tuning is E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4.
- String 1 is the thinnest high E; string 6 is the thickest low E.
- The two E strings share a note name but sit two octaves apart.
- Alternate tunings should include note names and octaves when calculation accuracy matters.
How to use this: Use these recommendations to compare options, then check the final set against the string maker's specifications and confirm that it suits your instrument.
The six strings in standard tuning
Read the table from the thinnest, highest-pitched string to the thickest, lowest-pitched string. Frequencies assume A4 = 440 Hz.
| String number | Open note | Frequency | Typical .010 set gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | .010 in |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz | .013 in |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | .017 in |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | .026 in wound |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | .036 in wound |
| 6 | E2 | 82.41 Hz | .046 in wound |
Why the thinnest string is number one
Guitar string numbers count from the highest pitch downward. When tablature is written as six horizontal lines, string 1 is usually the top line even though the physical string is nearest the floor in a typical playing position.
Always pair a number with a note when discussing alternate tunings. “Lower the sixth string to D2” is less ambiguous than “lower the bottom string.”
Simple mnemonics for E A D G B E
A mnemonic is only a memory aid; the note names are what matter. “Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie” runs from thickest to thinnest. To work from the first string downward, reverse the sequence: E B G D A E.
- Thick to thin: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4.
- Thin to thick: E4, B3, G3, D3, A2, E2.
- The two E strings are two octaves apart.
- Only the G-to-B interval is a major third; the other adjacent pairs are perfect fourths.
What changes in alternate tunings
The string numbers stay fixed while notes change. Drop D changes only string 6 from E2 to D2. D standard lowers all six strings by a whole step.
These pitch changes alter tension, which is why a gauge that feels balanced in standard tuning may not stay balanced after retuning.
How to identify any string without turning the guitar around
Use pitch and string number together. The thickest string is string 6 and normally plays low E2; the thinnest is string 1 and normally plays high E4. This stays true whether you are looking down at the guitar, reading a diagram, or holding a left-handed instrument.
The words top and bottom are unreliable because one person means pitch while another means physical position. Saying sixth-string D2, for example, tells a teacher, repairer, or calculator exactly which string and octave you mean.
- String 6: E2, the lowest and thickest standard string.
- String 5: A2, the reference that sits at exactly 110 Hz when A4 is 440 Hz.
- Strings 4 and 3: D3 and G3, the middle of many movable chord shapes.
- Strings 2 and 1: B3 and E4, the two highest standard open strings.
- Say the octave when entering notes in a frequency or tension tool.
The interval pattern behind E A D G B E
Standard tuning is mostly a chain of perfect fourths: E to A, A to D, D to G, and B to E. The exception is G to B, which is a major third. That smaller interval makes many common chord shapes practical, but it also means a pattern crossing the B string usually shifts by one fret.
You can verify adjacent strings without a tuner. The fifth fret of strings 6, 5, 4, and 2 matches the next open string; use the fourth fret of string 3 to match open B. This method transfers a reference pitch across the guitar, so it cannot tell you whether the first reference was globally sharp or flat.
A five-minute drill that makes the order stick
Start on a different string each time instead of always reciting E A D G B E from the beginning. Name the string number, open note, and octave, then check it with a tuner. Random recall is more useful on the instrument than a memorized sentence that only works in one direction.
Next, tune one string a little flat and identify it by sound before looking at the display. Finish by selecting an alternate tuning and writing every note from string 6 to string 1. The exercise connects names, sound, and physical location rather than treating them as separate facts.
- Point to a random string and say its number and standard open note.
- Play the note and verify the octave with a chromatic tuner.
- Find the same pitch class elsewhere on the fretboard.
- Write one alternate tuning with octaves, then enter it in the frequency or tension calculator.
Reference material
Technical references
Use these manufacturer references when you need product-specific tension or setup information. They were last reviewed on ; the gauge suggestions on this page remain starting points because strings and instruments vary.
Before you change strings
Save your current setup, change one variable at a time, and recheck tuning, neck relief, action, and intonation after the new strings settle. If a result looks inconsistent with your instrument or a manufacturer's data, send the setup details through the contact page.