Tension Table - Classical Guitar

This table shows the tensions that result from the different gauges available for the classical guitar. The string length is assumed to be about 64.75cm. If the string length on your instrument is a little longer, then the tension will be a little more. If the string length on your instrument is a little shorter, then the tension will be a little less. There are two tables: one lists tensions at the pitch of a=415 and the other lists tensions at the pitch of a=440.

If you have any questions about string tensions that are not answered here, please contact us.

Classical Guitar String Tensions (a=415)
NOTE	GAUGE	DIAMETER (mm)	TENSION (Kg)
Guitar e-1: Treble Gut
e	Light	.62	6.60
e	Medium	.64	7.00
e	Heavy	.66	7.40
Guitar b-2: Treble Gut
b	Light	.82	6.40
b	Medium	.84	6.70
b	Heavy	.86	7.00
Guitar g-3: Lyon Gut
g	Light	1.00	6.70
g	Medium	1.02	7.00
g	Heavy	1.04	7.30
Guitar D-4: Gut/Silverplate-Wound
D	Light	.80	5.68
D	Medium	.82	5.89
D	Heavy	.84	6.11
Guitar A-5: Gut/Silverplate-Wound
A	Light	1.04	5.68
A	Medium	1.06	5.89
A	Heavy	1.08	6.11
Guitar E-6: Gut/Silverplate-Wound
E	Light	1.36	5.68
E	Medium	1.38	5.89
E	Heavy	1.40	6.11

Classical Guitar String Tensions (a=440)
NOTE	GAUGE	DIAMETER (mm)	TENSION (Kg)
Guitar e-1: Treble Gut
e	Light	.62	7.20
e	Medium	.64	7.70
e	Heavy	.66	7.80
Guitar b-2: Treble Gut
b	Light	.82	7.20
b	Medium	.84	7.60
b	Heavy	.86	7.80
Guitar g-3: Lyon Gut
g	Light	1.00	6.37
g	Medium	1.02	7.00
g	Heavy	1.04	7.30
Guitar D-4: Gut/Silverplate-Wound
D	Light	.76	6.37
D	Medium	.78	6.61
D	Heavy	.80	6.85
Guitar A-5: Gut/Silverplate-Wound
A	Light	.90	5.42
A	Medium	.92	6.57
A	Heavy	.94	6.77
Guitar E-6: Gut/Silverplate-Wound
E	Light	1.06	5.42
E	Medium	1.08	5.57
E	Heavy	1.10	5.73