Guitar String Gauge Chart: Electric, Acoustic and Bass
On this page
A string gauge is the thickness of a string, measured in thousandths of an inch. A set sold as 10-46 has a high E string that is 0.010 inch thick and a low E string that is 0.046 inch thick. The charts below show common example sets so you can compare them before you buy strings or change tuning.
Common electric guitar string gauges
Here are three widely used six-string electric sets, listed from high E to low E.
| Set | E (high) | B | G | D | A | E (low) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-42 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 42 |
| 10-46 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 26 | 36 | 46 |
| 11-49 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 28 | 38 | 49 |
In these electric sets, the top three strings are plain steel and the bottom three are wound. Lighter sets are easier to bend and fret. Heavier sets feel firmer and hold pitch more steadily when you pick hard or tune lower.
Acoustic guitar string gauges
The set below is only an example of a common acoustic light set. Exact gauges vary by brand and product line.
| E (high) | B | G | D | A | E (low) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 16 | 24w | 32 | 42 | 53 |
The w after 24 means the string is wound. On acoustic sets the G string is usually wound, but on most electric sets it is plain. This is one reason an acoustic gauge chart does not translate directly to an electric guitar.
Bass guitar string gauges
A common four-string bass example is 45, 65, 85, 105, from the G string down to low E. Treat this as an example only. Bass gauges vary between manufacturers, so check the exact set for your instrument.
Wound vs plain strings
A plain string is a single solid steel wire. A wound string has a core wire with a second wire wrapped around it. The wrap adds weight without making the string too stiff to play. Weight is what drives tension. For the same note on the same scale length, a string that weighs more per inch needs more tension to reach that note.
Since weight per inch drives tension, the guitar string tension guide shows the formula that links unit weight, scale length and pitch. A string only reaches its listed tension once it is tuned to its target note, so tuning lower drops tension on the same set. If you plan to tune down, see string gauge for drop C for choosing heavier strings.
Same gauge, different construction
Two strings with the same number on the packet can behave differently. A wound 24 and a plain 24 have different weights per inch. Wrap material, core shape and winding style also change that weight. A gauge number tells you the diameter, not the tension.
To compare tension properly, you need data for that specific type of string. The string tension calculator uses historical D’Addario weights for plain steel and XL nickel-wound strings. That makes it a good fit for electric sets with that construction, but not for acoustic strings, bass strings or every brand.
Setup checks after changing gauge
After any change in gauge, construction, or tuning, check these points:
- Neck relief: a change in tension can change the neck’s bow. Measure first and follow your maker’s procedure if adjustment is needed.
- Action: string height can go up or down as relief changes.
- Nut slots: thicker strings can bind or sit high in slots cut for thinner ones. Binding can cause tuning problems.
- Intonation: a new gauge can change where each string plays in tune, so the saddles may need moving.
If you are not comfortable making these adjustments, a guitar tech can do them for you.
Choosing a starting point
For standard tuning, many electric players start with 9-42 or 10-46. Heavier sets are common for lower tunings. See string gauge for Drop C for one example. Scale length also changes tension at the same gauge, which is covered in guitar scale length.