Online Drop C Guitar Tuner (CGCFAD)

Pluck a string — tune until the needle enters the green zone

Tap a string to lock the target; defaults to the closest string

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Guitar Alternate TuningNotes: C - G - C - F - A - D

About Drop C Tuning

Drop C is the quintessential modern metal and post-grunge tuning. The entire guitar is tuned down one whole step (D standard), and the lowest string is dropped an additional step to low C (65.41 Hz).

Drop C Target Frequencies Chart

A4 = 440 Hz Reference
StringTarget NoteFrequency (Hz)Standard Tuning Delta
String 6C265.41 Hz Tuned DOWN 2 whole steps (4 semitones)
String 5G298.00 Hz Tuned DOWN 1 whole step (2 semitones)
String 4C3130.81 Hz Tuned DOWN 1 whole step (2 semitones)
String 3F3174.61 Hz Tuned DOWN 1 whole step (2 semitones)
String 2A3220.00 Hz Tuned DOWN 1 whole step (2 semitones)
String 1D4293.66 Hz Tuned DOWN 1 whole step (2 semitones)

How to Tune to Drop C Step-by-Step

1

Tune strings 1 through 5 down one whole step to D4, A3, F3, C3, and G2.

2

Tune string 6 down two whole steps from E2 to low C2 (65.41 Hz).

3

Check each string twice, as the reduced total tension may cause your guitar neck to slightly relax.

Musical Advantages & Tone

  • Crushing Rhythm Chugs: Low C (65.41 Hz) provides massive sonic weight for breakdowns and tight palm-muted riffs.
  • Drop Fingerings at Lower Pitch: Retains Drop D-style single-finger barre chords while delivering the gut-punching low end of D standard.
  • Reduced String Tension for Bends: Easier string bends across strings 1 to 5.

Famous Songs & Guitarists

  • Deftones ("Change In the House of Flies")
  • System of a Down ("Chop Suey!", "Toxicity")
  • Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, and Slipknot
  • Mastodon and Queens of the Stone Age

Explore Other Guitar & Instrument Tunings

Drop C Tuning FAQ