Drop C tuning

Drop C tuning is C G C F A D, from the thickest string to the thinnest: D standard with the 6th string dropped another whole step, to C.

Lodestone for iPhone shows these strings too, with the one you're tuning lit up. 99¢, once.

Drop C tuning notes and frequencies

Diagram of drop c tuning: six strings tuned C G C F A D, from the thickest string to the thinnest.

String	Note	Frequency	From standard
6th	C₂	65.41 Hz	E → C 4 half steps down
5th	G₂	98.00 Hz	A → G whole step down
4th	C₃	130.81 Hz	D → C whole step down
3rd	F₃	174.61 Hz	G → F whole step down
2nd	A₃	220.00 Hz	B → A whole step down
1st	D₄	293.66 Hz	E → D whole step down

Frequencies use A4 = 440 Hz. Strings are numbered from the thinnest.

It works like drop D, a whole step lower: the bottom three strings (C G C) make a one-finger power chord.

Tap a string above to hear its note, or turn on the mic: the string you're tuning lights up and glows brighter as you get close.

How to tune to Drop C

Tune to D standard first (every string down a whole step).
Then lower the 6th string one more whole step, until it rings an octave below the open 4th string (C).

Questions

How do I get from standard tuning to drop C?

Lower every string a whole step, then lower the 6th string one more whole step. You end up with C G C F A D.

More tunings

Standard E A D G B E
Drop D D A D G B E
Half step down E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭
D standard D G C F A D
DADGAD D A D G A D
Open G D G D G B D
Open D D A D F♯ A D
Bass tuner E A D G
Ukulele tuner G C E A
Violin tuner G D A E

Lodestone for iPhone

Open Lodestone and play. It's already listening. Pick your instrument to see its strings, with the one you're tuning lit up. 99¢, once. No ads, no accounts, no subscription.