Guitar string names: standard tuning from low E to high E

Name the six open strings

An open string sounds without a finger pressing a fret. A standard six-string guitar has two strings named E, but they are two octaves apart. Low E has a deep sound; high E has a much brighter, higher sound.

The number after a note name identifies its octave. It helps distinguish low E2 from high E4 without changing the letter name.

Why string 1 is the highest string

Guitar strings are numbered from the thinnest, highest-sounding string. That means reading strings 1 to 6 gives E, B, G, D, A, E. Reading from the thickest string instead gives the familiar E, A, D, G, B, E order.

On Playroom’s fretboard, high E appears at the top and low E at the bottom, like guitar tablature. The small numbers beside the open notes are string numbers. In Chords mode, keys 1–6 pick those strings. In Melody mode, follow the letter hints on the notes.

Practice the open strings with a pulse

Open the online guitar, enable sound, switch to Chords mode, and choose Open strings. Press 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, or tap the open column from bottom to top. Say E, A, D, G, B, E as you listen.

In Meet the strings, play one note per beat at 60 BPM, then leave two beats silent before repeating. The rests keep the six notes inside a simple eight-beat pattern. Slow the practice tempo if you need more time.

A physical guitar needs tuning before these note names will match what you hear. This browser instrument already uses standard tuning; it is a note-learning tool rather than a microphone tuner.