On the ukulele, the choice between low-G and high-G comes down to just one string: the 4th, in the GCEA tuning. The rest of the tuning doesn't change. With high-G that string carries a high, re-entrant G — the instrument's classic sound; with low-G the same G drops an octave and becomes the lowest-pitched string, for a more linear tone. The difference is most noticeable in the low register and in the kind of repertoire the instrument handles well.
In short: high-G puts a high G (G4, 392.0 Hz) on the 4th string, low-G puts the same G an octave lower (G3, 196.0 Hz). High-G gives you the classic, re-entrant tone suited to strumming, low-G adds full bass for fingerstyle and solos; the other three strings (C, E, A) stay exactly the same.
The 4th string: high-G or low-G
The whole debate comes down to a single string. In standard GCEA tuning, the open strings, from the 4th to the 1st, are G, C, E, A. What changes between high-G and low-G is the octave that G — the 4th string — sounds in:
- High-G: the 4th string is a high G (G4), higher than the C on the 3rd string and the E on the 2nd. The tuning is "re-entrant," meaning it doesn't climb steadily from low to high. It's the factory standard on most soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles.
- Low-G: the 4th string is a low G (G3), an octave down. The tuning is no longer re-entrant: the 4th string goes back to being the lowest-pitched one, the way you'd expect on a guitar.
The notes of the tuning stay the same — it's still GCEA — and the chords you already know don't change one bit. Only the pitch of that string changes, and with it, the instrument's character.
How the sound changes
In high-G, all four strings sit within the same narrow octave: the sound is bright, compact, and no single string stands out as "the bass." That's the tone that makes the ukulele instantly recognizable. In low-G, on the other hand, the 4th string opens up a low register that wasn't there before: descending melodic lines gain more body, and scales extend several notes further down.
Here's the table with the exact frequencies of the four open strings in both variants:
| String | High-G note | Low-G note |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (G) | G4 — 392.0 Hz | G3 — 196.0 Hz |
| 3rd (C) | C4 — 261.6 Hz | C4 — 261.6 Hz |
| 2nd (E) | E4 — 329.6 Hz | E4 — 329.6 Hz |
| 1st (A) | A4 — 440.0 Hz | A4 — 440.0 Hz |
As you can see, only the first row changes: low-G is exactly the same G as high-G, just an octave lower (half the frequency, from 392.0 to 196.0 Hz). The C, E and A strings aren't touched.
High-G: the classic tone
High-G is the traditional choice and it's perfect for strumming: rhythmic strokes sound cohesive, upbeat and percussive, because every string lives in the same high register. The famous "re-entrant" effect — that little jump of the high G in the middle of a chord — gives arpeggios some sparkle and is what makes the classic Hawaiian sound recognizable.
It's also the easiest variant to manage: you play the ukulele exactly as it came out of the shop, with no strings to swap. If you mostly play accompanied songs, rhythm parts and the instrument's classic repertoire, high-G is probably already the right choice for you. It also remains the standard because a lot of typical ukulele fingerings and voicings are built specifically around that re-entrant layout.
Low-G: more bass range
Low-G is built for players who want to extend the range downward. Dropping the 4th string an octave gains you roughly four low notes you wouldn't have with high-G, and that opens the door to fingerstyle, melodic solos, walking bass lines and solo arrangements where melody and bass share the same string.
The trade-off is losing that bright, cohesive tone: the ukulele sounds a bit more "guitar-like" and less typically re-entrant. Be careful not to confuse it with the baritone ukulele, which is a different instrument with a different tuning, baritone DGBE: low-G is still a GCEA tuning, while the baritone starts from different notes altogether.
Which to choose and how to switch
There's no single right answer for everyone — it depends on what you play. For rhythm parts, strumming and the traditional sound, stick with high-G. If you're aiming for fingerstyle, solos and arrangements with full bass, try low-G. Plenty of players keep two ukuleles, one for each variant, precisely so they don't have to give up either character.
Switching to low-G isn't as simple as turning a tuning peg: you need a dedicated string. The standard 4th string is too thin to intonate a low G properly, so low-G strings are purpose-built, often thicker or wound. In practice you only replace the 4th string, thread it on like the others, and bring it up to G3; the other three stay where they are.
To tune it correctly you need a chromatic tuner, which recognizes any note and handles both the G4 of high-G and the G3 of low-G without trouble. You can also tune online with EasyGuitarTuner: it's free, runs in the browser with nothing to install, recognizes both guitar and ukulele, and works on any computer, smartphone or tablet with a microphone. Its only limitation is that, being microphone-based, it works best in a quiet room where background noise doesn't interfere with the reading. To pick the right tool and set it up for all four strings, you'll find every detail in the guide to ukulele tuners, useful for either variant.