What are the four strings on a ukulele?

In standard tuning, the strings are G, C, E, and A from string 4 to string 1. When you hold the ukulele to play, G is the top string nearest your face and A is the bottom string nearest the floor.

What tuning should a beginner ukulele use?

Start with standard high-G gCEA unless you know your instrument uses another tuning. Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles commonly use it, and most beginner lessons and chord diagrams assume it. Baritone ukuleles usually use DGBE.

Which hand strums and which hand presses the strings?

In a standard right-handed setup, your left hand presses the strings and your right hand strums. A left-handed setup reverses those jobs and needs the strings arranged for left-handed playing. Use chord diagrams that match your string order.

Do you need a strap to play ukulele?

No. Your strumming forearm can keep the body against your chest while your fretting hand stays free to move. A strap is optional if the ukulele slips, if you play standing, or if it helps you relax your grip.

Learn

Ukulele basics for beginners

Get to know your ukulele, tune the four strings, hold it comfortably, and make your first sound.

Parts of a ukulele

Learn the names you will see in tuning, chord, and strumming guides.

Headstock and tuning pegs: The headstock is the top of the instrument. Turn its tuning pegs to raise or lower each string's pitch.
Nut: The small ridge between the headstock and fretboard keeps the strings evenly spaced.
Neck and fretboard: The neck supports the fretboard, where your fretting hand presses the strings.
Frets: The metal wires divide the fretboard into notes. Press in the space just behind a wire, toward the body.
Body and soundhole: The body shapes and amplifies the ukulele's tone. The soundhole helps project that sound.
Bridge and strings: The bridge anchors the strings to the body. The strings run from the bridge to the tuning pegs.

Kala Swell concert ukulele shown from the front — A concert ukulele shown from the front.

Ukulele sizes and tunings

Soprano, concert, and tenor are the most common choices and usually use standard high-G tuning. Baritone ukuleles are larger and use a different tuning.

Soprano: The smallest common size, with the shortest scale and closest fret spacing. Usually tuned to standard high-G gCEA.
Concert: A little larger than a soprano, with more room between the frets. Usually tuned to standard high-G gCEA.
Tenor: A larger body with more room along the fretboard. Usually tuned to gCEA, using either a high-G or low-G string setup.
Baritone: The largest common option. Usually tuned to DGBE and played with baritone chord diagrams.

Other setups include low-G and D tuning. Start with standard high-G gCEA unless your ukulele or strings specify something else.

How to tune a ukulele

Start with standard high-G gCEA unless your ukulele or strings specify another setup.

Ukulele string names and numbers

Hold the ukulele in playing position. String 4 is nearest your face, and string 1 is nearest the floor.

String 4g
String 3C
String 2E
String 1A

Standard tuning is G, C, E, and A. The lowercase g in gCEA means the G string is tuned higher than the C string. This pitch order is called re-entrant tuning.

Open the ukulele tuner, choose Standard, then pluck and tune G, C, E, and A one string at a time. Adjust each tuning peg a little, check again, and recheck all four strings when you finish.

How to hold a ukulele

Support the instrument with your body and strumming arm so your fretting hand stays free to move.

Sit or stand upright and let your shoulders relax.
Rest the body against your chest and support it with your strumming forearm.
Point the neck slightly upward instead of letting it droop.
Keep your fretting thumb behind the neck so your fingers can move freely.
Hold the instrument securely without squeezing it.

Make your first sound

Leave every string open. You do not need a chord shape yet.

Pluck string 4, then 3, 2, and 1 with the pad of your thumb.
Say G, C, E, and A as you hear each string.
Brush all four open strings once with your thumb. Keep your hand loose and listen for an even sound.

Next, learn how to read ukulele chord diagrams before you make your first chord shape.

Frequently asked questions

What are the four strings on a ukulele?: In standard tuning, the strings are G, C, E, and A from string 4 to string 1. When you hold the ukulele to play, G is the top string nearest your face and A is the bottom string nearest the floor.
What tuning should a beginner ukulele use?: Start with standard high-G gCEA unless you know your instrument uses another tuning. Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles commonly use it, and most beginner lessons and chord diagrams assume it. Baritone ukuleles usually use DGBE.
Which hand strums and which hand presses the strings?: In a standard right-handed setup, your left hand presses the strings and your right hand strums. A left-handed setup reverses those jobs and needs the strings arranged for left-handed playing. Use chord diagrams that match your string order.
Do you need a strap to play ukulele?: No. Your strumming forearm can keep the body against your chest while your fretting hand stays free to move. A strap is optional if the ukulele slips, if you play standing, or if it helps you relax your grip.

Keep playing

Learn how chord diagrams work or tune your ukulele before the next lesson.

Ukulele string names and numbers

Keep strumming