When two notes are close but not equal, you hear a slow pulsing; it stops when they match.

Is tuning by ear accurate?

With practice, yes; a tuner is faster and helps train your ear.

Can I hear the notes on a phone with no mic access?

Yes, the reference tones only need speakers.

Tune a Guitar Without a Microphone

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): Tap the string buttons below the tuner to hear each reference note (E A D G B E) and tune by ear: play your string right after the tone and turn the peg until the two sound the same and the "wobble" between them disappears. Once the low E is right, you can also use the 5th-fret method: fret the 5th fret of one string and match the next open string (the 4th fret on the G string matches the open B).

Do it now, right here

Tuning

−500+50

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Press the button, allow the microphone and play one string.

Strings (tap one to hear its note):

Step by step

Tap the button for the string you want to tune.
Play your string and compare: higher or lower?
Turn the peg until the wobble between the two sounds stops.

At a glance

Fret on this string	Should match	Note
5th fret, low E	Open A	A
4th fret, G	Open B	B (the only 4th-fret pair)
5th fret, B	Open high E	E

How to tune a guitar without a microphone

Do it now, right here

Step by step

At a glance

Related questions

What is the wobble?

Is tuning by ear accurate?

Can I hear the notes on a phone with no mic access?

More questions: guitar tuner