String Numbering Systems for Different Instruments

When learning to play a string instrument, one of the first things you need to understand is how the strings are numbered. This might seem straightforward, but the convention varies between instruments and can confuse beginners. This guide explains the string numbering system for popular string instruments.

The General Rule

For most Western string instruments, there’s a common principle:

String 1 is always the thinnest (highest-pitched) string, and the numbers increase toward the thicker (lower-pitched) strings.

This convention applies to guitar, bass, violin, viola, cello, ukulele, and most other fretted and bowed instruments.

Guitar (6-String)

The standard 6-string guitar numbers its strings from thinnest to thickest:

Visual Reference (Playing Position)

When holding a guitar in playing position and looking down at the neck:

Nut (headstock end)
   ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
   6 5 4 3 2 1  ← String numbers
   E A D G B E  ← Notes
   ↑           ↑
 Thickest   Thinnest
 (top)      (bottom)

Memory Tip

Many guitarists remember standard tuning with mnemonics:

• Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie (6→1)
• Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually (6→1)

7-String and 8-String Guitars

Extended range guitars follow the same pattern, adding lower strings:

7-String Guitar

8-String Guitar

Bass Guitar

4-String Bass (Standard)

5-String Bass

6-String Bass

Violin Family

The violin family (violin, viola, cello, double bass) follows the same thin-to-thick numbering:

Violin

Viola

Cello

Double Bass (Contrabass)

Ukulele

Ukulele string numbering follows the same convention, but with a twist: the 4th string is often tuned higher than the 3rd string (re-entrant tuning).

Standard Ukulele (GCEA - Re-entrant)

Low-G Ukulele

Mandolin

The mandolin has 8 strings in 4 courses (pairs tuned to the same note):

Banjo (5-String)

The 5-string banjo has unique string numbering because of its short 5th string (drone string):

Note: The 5th string starts at the 5th fret and is the highest pitched, despite being numbered 5th.

12-String Guitar

A 12-string guitar has 6 courses of paired strings:

Harp

Harps number strings differently—from the shortest (highest) to the longest (lowest), similar to piano keys. Concert harps have 47 strings, numbered 1-47 from top to bottom.

Why This Convention?

The “thinnest = 1st” convention likely developed because:

1. Melodic importance: The highest string often carries the melody
2. Historical practice: The most-used string in early music was the thinnest
3. Tablature notation: Reading tabs from top to bottom matches the visual string layout

Common Confusions

“Top” and “Bottom” Strings

Be careful with these terms:

• Physical position: The 6th string is on “top” when holding a guitar
• Pitch: The 6th string produces the “bottom” (lowest) note
• Convention: “Top” usually refers to pitch, so the 1st string is the “top” string

Reading Tablature

In guitar tablature, the lines represent strings:

e|---1st string (top line = highest pitch)
B|---2nd string
G|---3rd string
D|---4th string
A|---5th string
E|---6th string (bottom line = lowest pitch)

Quick Reference Chart

Related Articles

• How to Use the Chromatic Tuner - Tune your instrument accurately
• Standard Tuning Frequencies - Complete frequency reference
• Alternate Guitar Tunings - Explore different tunings

Now that you understand string numbering, try tuning your instrument with our Chromatic Tuner!