Baritone ukulele has a deeper, warmer sound than standard ukulele, and it feels familiar if you play guitar. The reason: baritone tuning matches the top four strings of a guitar.
This guide shows you:
- the standard baritone ukulele tuning (D G B E)
- how to tune it with an online tuner
- how chord shapes map if you come from guitar
Quick CTA:
- Open the preset: Baritone ukulele tuner
- Find shapes by instrument: Open the chord library
What baritone ukulele tuning is
Standard baritone ukulele tuning from low to high is:
D - G - B - E
If you play guitar, that is the same as guitar strings 4 to 1.
That has two useful outcomes:
- many guitar chord shapes make sense right away
- ukulele chord charts for g C E A will not match what you hear on baritone
How to tune a baritone ukulele (step by step)
Open the preset:
1. Allow microphone access
- Tap "Start listening."
- Allow microphone access in your browser.
2. Tune each string to the target note
Tune low to high:
- lowest string -> D
- next string -> G
- next string -> B
- highest string -> E
If the tuner jumps around:
- pluck one string cleanly
- mute the others
- move closer to the mic
3. Recheck once
Strings can settle after you adjust another string. Do one quick second pass.
If you come from guitar: chord shapes map in a simple way
Because the tuning matches guitar strings 4 to 1, many guitar shapes carry over.
Two fast rules:
- If you play a guitar chord shape that uses the top four strings only, it will sound the same on baritone.
- If you use ukulele chord charts made for g C E A, they will sound like different chords on baritone.
If you want chord shapes that match your instrument, use the chord library with baritone selected:
Three easy chords to start with on baritone
Fret numbers are low to high.
G chord (simple)
0 0 0 3
This gives you a clear G sound because the open strings already include D, G, and B.
C chord (simple)
2 0 1 0
This is the same shape guitarists use on the top four strings for a C chord.
D chord (simple)
0 2 3 2
This shape is compact and shows you how baritone chords often use small grips.
If you want a full list of shapes, search chords directly:
Practice idea: clean chord changes in 5 minutes
Baritone sounds great when chord changes are smooth. Use a slow click and stay relaxed.
- Open the metronome: Online metronome
- Set it to 70 BPM.
- Play this progression for 2 minutes:
- G -> C -> D -> G
- Keep strums small and even.
- If a chord buzzes, slow down and fix your finger placement before you speed up.
Common baritone ukulele problems (and fixes)
It sounds wrong even when the tuner shows the right notes
Check that you are tuning a baritone. A standard ukulele is not built for D G B E strings.
If you have a standard ukulele (soprano, concert, tenor), use:
New strings drift constantly
New strings stretch. Retune a few times during your first practice session and expect some drift for a few days.
My chord chart does not match what I hear
That chart was probably written for g C E A. Use a baritone-specific chart or the chord library.
FAQs: baritone ukulele tuning
Is baritone ukulele tuning the same as guitar?
It matches the top four guitar strings (D G B E). Guitar has two extra lower strings (A and low E).
Can I put baritone strings on a standard ukulele?
No. The scale length and string tension do not match. Use the correct instrument and string set.
What songs work well on baritone?
Anything that benefits from a warmer, lower sound: singer-songwriter strumming, chord-melody, and gentle fingerpicking.
Can I use an online tuner on my phone?
Yes. Open the baritone preset and tune each string to D, G, B, and E:
Next step: tune to D G B E and play a progression
Tune your strings, then play G -> C -> D -> G with a metronome to lock it in: