Guitar String Tension Calculator

Calculate the tension on a guitar string based on gauge, scale length, tuning frequency, and material.

String Gauge (thousandths)

Scale Length

Target Frequency

String Material

Tab to move between fields

Tension

62.31 lbs

≈ 7 gallons of milk

Tension28.26 kg

Unit Weight (lb/in)0

Safe Tension (1=Yes, 0=No)0

Est. Breaking Point155.78 lbs

How to Use This Calculator

Enter String Gauge (thousandths), Scale Length, and Target Frequency.
Set String Material.
Review the Tension (lbs) result.
Use Tension (kg) and Unit Weight (lb/in) to inform your decision.
Use the chart to visualize the results and explore different scenarios by adjusting inputs.

How the result changes with String Gauge (thousandths)

String Gauge (thousandths): String gauge in thousandths of an inch (e.g., 10 for .010).
Scale Length: Distance from nut to bridge saddle in inches.
Target Frequency: The tuned frequency of the string (E4=330, B3=247, G3=196).
String Material: 1=Steel, 2=Nickel, 3=Phosphor Bronze, 4=Nylon.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
String Gauge (thousandths) = 10, Scale Length = 25.5, Target Frequency = 330, String Material = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
Calculate Tension
Tension
62.31 = 62.31
Calculate Tension
Tension
28.26 = 28.26
Calculate Unit Weight
Unit Weight
0.000085 = 0.000085