What is Open D tuning?
Open D tuning is D–A–D–F♯–A–D, low to high — the guitar retuned so the six open strings spell a D major chord: root, fifth, root, third, fifth, root. Four strings move from standard: both E strings drop a whole step to D, the 2nd drops a whole step from B to A, and the 3rd drops just a half step, from G to F♯. That half step is the tuning’s one trap — more on it below.
- E26th string82.41 Hz
- A25th string110.00 Hz
- D34th string146.83 Hz
- G33rd string196.00 Hz
- B32nd string246.94 Hz
- E41st string329.63 Hz
Four strings move. Note the 3rd string: only a half step — the smallest move on the guitar, and the easiest to overshoot.
String by string, safest order
- 6th string: E → D. A whole step down. Your untouched 4th string is D3 — one octave above the target — so play both together as a check.
- 1st string: E → D. Same whole step at the thin end. Little peg movement needed; creep up on it.
- 2nd string: B → A. Whole step down; your open 5th string (A2) is two octaves below if you want an ear reference, but the dial is more honest here.
- 3rd string: G → F♯ — go slow. This is a half step, half the travel of every other move. Lower the peg in small increments; the dial flips from G to F♯ almost immediately, and the needle center is your real target.
- Strum open and listen for pure D major. If the chord sounds slightly seasick, it’s nearly always the F♯ sitting a few cents off — the third of a chord is where ears are pickiest.
What it’s for
Open D is the great slide and fingerstyle tuning. Elmore James’ “Dust My Broom” lick is its calling card, and a whole lineage of players — from Delta blues through Joni Mitchell’s early catalog to modern lap-steel — treats it as home. One finger barred across any fret is a major chord; the three D strings turn into drones for modal, droning fingerstyle; and with a capo on the 2nd fret you’re in Open E (E–B–E–G♯–B–E) without the extra string tension of tuning up. The broader family, including its relationship to Open G, is covered in our Open G and Open D guide.
Frequently asked questions
Open D or Open E — aren’t they the same?
Same intervals, different height. Open E (E–B–E–G♯–B–E) is Open D raised a whole step — which means tuning three strings up above standard, adding tension the guitar and the strings don’t love. The safer route to the Open E sound is exactly what most players do: tune Open D and capo the 2nd fret. Our capo guide explains the pitch math.
Why F♯ and not F?
Because D major’s third is F♯. Tune the 3rd string to F natural instead and the open chord becomes D minor — which is a real tuning too (Open D minor, or “dead man’s tuning”), just a different mood. The tuner doesn’t care: pluck the string and stop on whichever letter you’re after.
Is DADGAD just Open D with one string different?
Yes — keep the 3rd string at G instead of dropping it to F♯ and you have DADGAD. That one substitution replaces the major third with a suspended fourth, which is why DADGAD floats where Open D resolves. Try both pages back to back and you’ll hear the fork in the road on a single string.