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Guitar
Open F Tuning Online
Open F tuning notes:
F2A2C3F3C4F4
This tuner is preset to Open F guitar tuning (FACFCF). Tune F2-A2-C3-F3-C4-F4 from low F to high F for slide, drones, and bright open F major chords.
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Learn Open F After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to F2-A2-C3-F3-C4-F4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Open F useful.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate guitar tuning.
Songs
0
Start with chord shapes and related tunings while the song list grows.
Best for
Open F tuning, Open F tuning guitar, Open F guitar tuner, FACFCF tuning notes
First practice targets
This tuning does not have a song list yet. Start by learning the target notes, then compare nearby tunings and chord shapes.
Open the chord libraryRelated guides
About Open F Guitar Tuning (FACFCF)
Open F tuning (F-A-C-F-C-F) turns the open strings into an F major chord. Strum all six strings without fretting and you hear F, A, and C spread across the guitar.
Use this Open F guitar tuner as a FACFCF note check: 6th string F2, 5th string A2, 4th string C3, 3rd string F3, 2nd string C4, and 1st string F4.
This is different from F standard tuning. F standard would move standard intervals up to F-Bb-Eb-Ab-C-F, while Open F is an open major tuning built for drones, slide, and straight-barre major chords.
Open F has a bright, lifted feel because several strings tune upward from standard. Tune slowly, especially on the 1st and 2nd strings, and consider lighter strings if your guitar feels tight.
Open F Tuning Notes (FACFCF)
From lowest to highest: F2-A2-C3-F3-C4-F4
6th string
87.31 Hz
Low F, the bass root of the open F major chord.
5th string
110.00 Hz
A, the major third that gives Open F its major quality.
4th string
130.81 Hz
C, the fifth of the F chord.
3rd string
174.61 Hz
F, one octave above the lowest string.
2nd string
261.63 Hz
C, a higher fifth that keeps the tuning ringing.
1st string
349.23 Hz
High F, the top root note for melodies and slide lines.
Recommended String Gauges for Open F Guitar Tuning
.009-.042 or .010-.046
Open F raises the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings from standard pitch, so normal or lighter electric gauges are safest. If you mainly play slide, start with standard gauges and tune up carefully rather than using a very heavy set.
Common Chords in Open F Guitar Tuning
F Major (open)
Strum all strings open for the core Open F sound.
Bb Major (fret 5)
Bar all strings at the 5th fret for Bb major, the IV chord in F.
C Major (fret 7)
Bar all strings at the 7th fret for C major, the V chord.
F Drone
Let the 6th, 3rd, and 1st strings ring as F roots while adding melody on the A and C strings.
How to Tune a Guitar to Open F (F2-A2-C3-F3-C4-F4)
1
Start from standard tuning and make small adjustments one string at a time.
2
Tune the 6th string up from E2 to F2. This is only a half step, but tune carefully because it increases tension.
3
Keep the 5th string at A2.
4
Tune the 4th string down from D3 to C3.
5
Tune the 3rd string down from G3 to F3.
6
Tune the 2nd string up from B3 to C4 and the 1st string up from E4 to F4. Strum all six strings open and listen for F-A-C-F-C-F.
Open F Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Open F tuning?
Open F tuning is F-A-C-F-C-F from lowest to highest string. With exact octaves, the notes are F2, A2, C3, F3, C4, and F4.
Is Open F the same as FACFCF tuning?
Yes. Open F and FACFCF tuning refer to the same open-string notes: F-A-C-F-C-F from the 6th string to the 1st string.
Is Open F tuning the same as F standard tuning?
No. Open F uses F-A-C-F-C-F so the open strings form an F major chord. F standard would keep standard tuning intervals and tune the strings to F-Bb-Eb-Ab-C-F.
Does Open F tuning raise string tension?
Yes, some strings tune upward from standard, including the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings. Tune slowly and use normal or lighter gauges if the guitar feels tight.
What is Open F tuning best for?
Open F is especially useful for Open F tuning, Open F tuning guitar, Open F guitar tuner. It changes the way open strings and chord shapes feel, so spend a few minutes listening to the open strings before learning full songs.
Is Open F tuning good for beginners?
Open F is an intermediate tuning. Beginners can use it, but it helps to learn the target notes first and start with slower songs before trying fast chord changes.
What songs use Open F tuning?
Open F is used for a range of alternate-tuning arrangements. Start by practicing simple chord shapes and related tunings before moving to full songs.