Tuning a 1/2 or 3/4 Violin
Smaller size, same four notes.
Violin tuner
The tuner needs JavaScript and a microphone. The note table and frequencies below work without it.
Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded.
–
–
Microphone is blocked
The tuner can’t hear your violin until you allow the microphone for this site. 1. Open the site settings for this page (steps for your browser below). 2. Set Microphone to Allow, then press Try again.
No microphone found
Plug in or switch on a microphone, or use a phone or laptop with a built-in one, then press Try again.
The microphone is busy
Close other apps or tabs that use it, such as video calls or recorders, then press Try again.
No microphone access in this browser
Use a current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari, and check that the address starts with https://.
The microphone could not start
Reload the page and press Try again.
Chrome on a computer
Click the icon to the left of the web address, set Microphone to Allow, then reload the page.
Microsoft Edge
Click the lock icon to the left of the web address, open Permissions for this site, set Microphone to Allow and reload.
Firefox
Click the crossed-out microphone icon in the address bar, clear the blocked permission, reload and choose Allow when asked.
Safari on a Mac
Open Safari, Settings, Websites, Microphone, and set violintuner.app to Allow or Ask. Then reload the page.
iPhone or iPad
Tap the page menu (aA) in the address bar, open Website Settings and set Microphone to Allow or Ask. Then reload the page.
Chrome on Android
Tap the icon to the left of the web address, open Permissions and turn on Microphone. Then reload the page.
Or tune by ear with the reference tones, or tap a string button below to hear its note.
A 1/2 or 3/4 violin is tuned exactly like a full-size violin: G3, D4, A4 and E5, from the lowest string. The fraction describes the size of the instrument, not its pitch. Use the tuner above with Violin selected and tune the A first.
Same notes on every size: only the instrument gets smaller.
| Size | Body length | Typical age |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 (full size) | about 35.5 cm | from about 10 years |
| 3/4 | about 33.5 cm | about 7–10 |
| 1/2 | about 31–32 cm | about 6–9 |
| 1/4 | about 28–28.5 cm | about 5–7 |
| 1/8 | about 25.5–26 cm | about 4–7 |
Sources differ by a centimetre or a year or two. The right size is the one the player can hold comfortably with the arm almost straight, so let the teacher decide.
Tips for young players
- An adult can tune with the fine tuners while the child plucks.
- Hold the phone close; small violins are quieter.
- If the E string has the only fine tuner, ask the teacher before turning pegs.
Questions and answers
Is a 3/4 or 1/2 violin tuned differently?
No. Every violin size is tuned to the same notes, G D A E: G3 (196.00 Hz), D4 (293.66 Hz), A4 (440.00 Hz), E5 (659.26 Hz).
Which size does my child need?
Size goes by arm length more than age. Teachers and violin shops measure from the neck or shoulder to the palm with the arm stretched out. Ask the teacher; the ages in the table are only rough guides.
Why does a small violin go out of tune often?
Small violins are often student instruments with new strings, and children move them around a lot. Retune before every practice, mostly with the fine tuners.
More violin tools
- Online violin tunerTune with your microphone
- Reference tonesTune by ear
- How to tune a violinFor beginners
- Fine tuners and pegsWhich to turn, and how
- Viola and cello tunerC G D A
- A = 440 or 442 HzWhich pitch to use
- Online guitar tunerSister site for guitar
- Online bass tunerSister site for bass
Last updated October 23, 2026.