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Virtual Ukulele

Play a free virtual ukulele online. Explore chord shapes, learn strumming patterns, and practice in GCEA standard tuning — no download needed.

🎵 Standard GCEA Tuning

G4
(4th)
C4
(3rd)
E4
(2nd)
A4
(1st)

Re-entrant tuning: G is higher than C (unlike guitar). Use our online tuner to tune your ukulele.

Common Ukulele Chords

Numbers show which fret to press. 0 = open string. Strings shown: G · C · E · A (low to high).

C
0
G
0
C
0
E
3
A
---3
G
0
G
2
C
3
E
2
A
-232
Am
2
G
0
C
0
E
0
A
1---
F
2
G
0
C
1
E
0
A
2-1-
D
2
G
2
C
2
E
0
A
234-
Em
0
G
4
C
3
E
2
A
-432
Dm
2
G
2
C
1
E
0
A
231-
E
4
G
4
C
4
E
2
A
4442
A
2
G
1
C
0
E
0
A
21--
Bm
4
G
2
C
2
E
2
A
4222

🎶 Beginner Chord Progressions

C – G – Am – F
I–V–vi–IV (Pop classic)
The most popular progression in pop music. Works for hundreds of songs.
C – Am – F – G
I–vi–IV–V (50s progression)
Classic 50s doo-wop. Timeless and very singable.
G – D – Em – C
I–V–vi–IV in G
Same progression in G major. Great starting point.
C – G – C – G
Two-chord for beginners
Perfect for absolute beginners — only two chord changes.

Free Online Virtual Ukulele

Our free virtual ukulele lets you explore ukulele chords and progressions right in your browser. The ukulele uses standard GCEA tuning — G, C, E, A from the 4th string to the 1st string. This re-entrant tuning (where the 4th string G is pitched higher than the 3rd string C) gives the ukulele its bright, distinctive sound.

How the Ukulele Differs from Guitar

The ukulele has 4 strings compared to guitar's 6. It uses nylon strings that are softer on fingertips, making it more comfortable for beginners. The GCEA tuning means that ukulele chord shapes look different from guitar chord shapes, even when the chord names are the same. However, a ukulele in standard GCEA tuning produces the same notes as a guitar with a capo on fret 5, minus the two lowest strings.

Learning Ukulele: Your First 4 Chords

The four most important ukulele chords for beginners are C, G, Am, and F. With these four chords, you can play the I–V–vi–IV progression (C–G–Am–F) which appears in hundreds of pop songs. The C chord is the easiest on ukulele — it requires just one finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. Practice these four chords until you can switch between them smoothly.

Strumming Basics

The most beginner-friendly strumming pattern is a simple downstroke on each beat (D–D–D–D for 4/4 time). Once comfortable, try D–D–U–U–D–U (down-down-up-up-down-up). The key is consistency — keep your strumming arm moving at a constant tempo even when fingers are still changing chords.

🎼 Tune Ukulele
GCEA online tuner
📚 Chord Library
All chord diagrams
🎶 C–G–Am–F Songs
Songs with these 4 chords
🎸 Virtual Guitar
Switch to guitar

FAQ

Virtual Ukulele — Frequently Asked Questions

What tuning does a standard ukulele use?
A standard ukulele uses GCEA tuning (from the 4th string to 1st string): G4, C4, E4, A4. Unlike guitar, the 4th string (G) is tuned higher than the 3rd string (C), which is called "re-entrant" tuning. This gives the ukulele its distinctive bright, cheerful sound.
How many strings does a ukulele have?
A standard ukulele has 4 strings. This makes it much simpler to learn than guitar (6 strings). Most beginner ukulele songs use just 3-4 chord shapes, which are easy to form with only 4 strings.
Is ukulele easier to learn than guitar?
Generally yes — the ukulele is considered easier to learn than guitar for several reasons: fewer strings (4 vs 6), shorter fret span (smaller neck), nylon strings that are softer on fingers, and many songs can be played with just 3-4 chords. Most beginners can play simple songs within 1-2 weeks of practice.
What are the easiest ukulele chords for beginners?
The easiest ukulele chords for beginners are C, G, Am, and F. These 4 chords can be used to play hundreds of popular songs. C is the easiest — just one finger. Am requires no fingers (all strings open) in some positions. G and F each use 2-3 fingers.
What size ukulele should a beginner buy?
For beginners, a soprano ukulele (the smallest standard size, 21 inches) or concert ukulele (23 inches) are the most popular. Soprano has the classic ukulele sound. Concert is slightly larger with more frets and a bit more volume. Tenor (26 inches) is preferred by many performers. All use the same GCEA standard tuning.
Can I play guitar songs on ukulele?
Yes! Many guitar chord charts can be adapted for ukulele. The chord names are the same — C, G, Am, F — but the finger positions differ because ukulele has 4 strings tuned differently from guitar. A ukulele in standard GCEA tuning sounds like a guitar with a capo on the 5th fret, minus the two lowest strings.
What is a concert ukulele vs soprano ukulele?
Soprano ukulele is the traditional size (21 inches), with a bright, classic sound and tighter fret spacing — ideal for smaller hands. Concert ukulele (23 inches) has a slightly larger body for more volume, wider fret spacing for easier chord formation, and a warmer tone. Both use GCEA tuning.
How do I tune a ukulele without a tuner?
To tune a ukulele without an electronic tuner: the 4th string (G) should sound the same as the G above middle C. Tune the 3rd string (C) to middle C. The 2nd string (E) is the E above middle C. The 1st string (A) is the A above middle C. Alternatively, use the "piano method" — find GCEA on a piano and match the pitch by ear.
What is the most popular ukulele chord progression?
The most popular ukulele chord progressions are: C–G–Am–F (I–V–vi–IV, used in hundreds of pop songs), C–Am–F–G (I–vi–IV–V, the 50s progression), and G–D–Em–C (I–V–vi–IV in G). The four-chord I–V–vi–IV progression in C major (C–G–Am–F) is probably the single most used progression in ukulele music.
Can I learn ukulele for free online?
Yes! Many excellent free resources exist for learning ukulele: YouTube tutorials (Ukulele Underground, The Ukulele Teacher), chord diagram websites, and interactive tools like our virtual ukulele. Focus first on C, G, Am, F chords — with those 4 chords you can play the I–V–vi–IV progression that forms the basis of hundreds of songs.