Guitar Intonation Checker: Saddle Direction & Printable Checklist
Check guitar intonation with your tuner. Find saddle direction for sharp or flat notes, record six strings, and print your checklist. Free, with no signup.
Check one string. Hear the difference.
Use your tuner to compare the 12th-fret harmonic with the fretted note. Get the next step and keep a checklist as you go.
Confirm your actual bridge; models vary. Changing guitar, bridge or tuning clears the previous readings.
- Settle your strings and finish relief and action adjustments first.
- Tune the open string. Sound its 12th-fret harmonic, then fret at the 12th with normal pressure.
- Compare the pitches on your tuner. After any saddle adjustment, retune and repeat.
This free guitar intonation checker helps you compare your 12th-fret harmonic and fretted note, decide what to check next, and keep a six-string record. Bring your usual chromatic tuner: the tool interprets your reading rather than listening through your microphone.
How to check guitar intonation
- Choose your guitar and confirm the bridge actually fitted to it. Replacement hardware and different model years can change the procedure.
- Settle the strings, tune the open string, and finish any relief or action changes before measuring.
- Sound the harmonic over the 12th fret. Then fret the same string at the 12th fret using your normal pressure. Compare the tuner readings.
- Record whether the fretted note is sharp, flat, matched or unstable. Follow the bridge-specific next step above.
- After an adjustment, retune the open string and repeat both measurements. Check all six strings again at the end.
For individually adjustable saddles, a sharp fretted note calls for a longer vibrating string: move the saddle away from the nut. A flat fretted note calls for a shorter string: move the saddle toward the nut. These directions refer to saddle travel, not screw rotation. See Fender's intonation explanation for the underlying procedure.
Bridge type changes the next step
A six-saddle electric bridge lets you adjust the vibrating length of each string separately. Small changes followed by retuning are more useful than an assumed number of turns. There is no universal conversion from a tuner reading to millimetres or screw turns.
Vintage Telecaster bridges share three saddles between six strings. Moving one saddle affects both strings on it, so this checklist marks the partner for rechecking when an adjustment is indicated. Opposing errors may require a compromise or different compensation; do not keep moving a saddle to satisfy one string while ignoring its partner. Fender distinguishes the three- and six-saddle designs in its Telecaster setup instructions.
Fixed acoustic saddles and locking tremolos need different procedures. This tool records their readings but does not give a generic saddle-screw instruction. Follow the bridge manufacturer's guidance or have a repairer assess persistent discrepancies. Stop at resistance or a travel limit.
Make the whole setup work together
Use your selected tuning and strings for the final check. A setup done for one tuning is not automatically a completed setup for another. The tuning field labels your checklist; it does not calculate frequencies or tune the guitar.
Continue with the factory setup specs lookup, action-height calculator, or pickup-height calculator. For a complete walkthrough, see the Stratocaster setup guide or Telecaster setup guide. A matching printable guide is offered after your result where the catalogue covers your guitar.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool tune my guitar?
No. Use a chromatic tuner and enter the comparison you observe. The checker records your results and explains the next step; it does not request microphone access.
Is sharp clockwise or counterclockwise?
Neither is a universal instruction. Sharp describes the fretted note relative to the harmonic. The tool shows saddle travel relative to the nut; the screw arrangement on your bridge determines how to achieve that movement.
What if the tuner reading will not settle?
Choose Unstable. Mute the other strings, use consistent picking and fretting pressure, and check that the string holds pitch. Establish a repeatable measurement before adjusting hardware.
Does “in tune” mean the entire fretboard is perfect?
No. It records a match at the 12th fret at that moment. Other frets, playing pressure, string condition and the rest of the setup can still affect what you hear. Make a final pass after adjusting the other strings.
Can I use alternate tuning?
Yes, label the checklist with your intended six-string tuning and tune the guitar accordingly before measuring. Strings are numbered thickest to thinnest rather than assuming their note names. Changing the tuning field clears old checks so they are not mistaken for results in the new tuning.
Where is my checklist saved?
In this browser's local storage. No account is needed. It does not sync to another device, and clearing browser data removes it. If storage is blocked, you can still use the tool and print the checklist.
Can I save a PDF?
Choose Print checklist, then select your browser's Save as PDF option if available. The print sheet contains your guitar, bridge, tuning and six recorded results, plus space for recheck notes.
Can I use it for bass or seven-string guitar?
This version has a six-string guitar checklist. Use the relevant instrument and bridge instructions for other configurations; do not treat the six rows as a complete record for them.
