Tuning a guitar for beginners without using a tuner

This is a small tutorial on how to tune a guitar without a tuner. 

Tuning Your Guitar to Itself

1. 1Fret the low E string at the fifth fret. The low E string, also called the sixth string, is the lowest and thickest string on your guitar. If you're holding your guitar in playing position and looking down, it will be the top string closest to you.[2]
   • The note at the fifth fret of the low E is the same as the open A string, the next string over from the low E.
   • For this method, it isn't necessary to first tune your low E string. Even though your instrument may not be to concert pitch or absolute pitch, the strings will be tuned to each other. Anything you play will "sound right," as long as you're playing by yourself and not with another instrument tuned to concert pitch.
2. 2Match the open A string to the low E string at the fifth fret. Listen to the sound coming from the low E string, then play the open A string. Tune the open A string up or down until it matches the sound coming from the low E string.[3]
   • If the open A string is higher than the A you play at the fifth fret of the low E string, tune it down and then bring it back up.
3. 3Repeat the same process to tune the D and G strings. Once you have the A in tune, fret it at the fifth fret and pluck it. This is a D. Pluck the open D string, and tune the it up or down to match.[4]
   • When the D string is in tune, fret it at the fifth fret to play a G. Pluck the open G string and compare. Tune it up or down to match the sound.
4. 4Fret the G string at the fourth fret to tune the B string. The process changes somewhat for the B string, because there is a shorter interval between G and B. Fret the G string at the fourth fret to play a B. Pluck the open B string and compare the sounds.[5]
   • Tune the open B string up or down until it matches the sound produced on the G string.
5. 5Return to the fifth fret to tune the high E string. Once you have the B string in tune, fret it at the fifth fret and pluck to play a high E. Tune the open high E string up or down to match the sound coming from the B string.[6]
   • If the open high E string is higher in pitch than the high E played on the B string, tune it down and then bring it up to pitch slowly and gradually. The high E string has a lot of tension and will snap easily.
6. 6Strum a few chords to test your tuning. If you're getting ready to play a particular song, you may want to check your tuning with chords from that song to make sure it will sound okay. Listen carefully and adjust up or down as needed.[7]
   • You can also use a tune-checking chord, made up of E's and B's, to tell if your guitar is in tune with itself. To play this chord, bar the fourth and fifth strings with your index finger at the second fret. Fret the third string at the fourth fret and the second string at the fifth fret. Play both the first and sixth strings open. If your guitar is in tune, you will only hear 2 notes.