Guitar String Tension Charts

Experimenting with string metals and gauges often unleashes creativity. It may also impact the performance of your guitar. When changing string gauge, especially when going heavier, the string tension may be significant enough to require adjustment to the setup of your guitar.

Acoustic Guitar String Tension Guides:

Acoustic Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB® Technology 

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 Total Tension
Extra Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .023 / 28 .030 / 27 .039 / 25 .047 / 21 135
Custom Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 20 .015 / 20 .022 / 25 .032 / 30 .042 / 30 .052 / 25 150
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 30 .032 / 30 .042 / 30 .053 / 26 162
Light-Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 30 .035 / 37 .045 / 34 .056 / 29 176
Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .026 / 35 .035 / 37 .045 / 34 .056 / 29 188
HD Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .025 / 34 .032 / 31 .042 / 30 .053 / 26 174

12-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)

 

.010 / 16

 

.014 / 18

 

.023 / 27

 

.030 / 26

 

.039 / 24

 

.047 / 20

 

 

 
12-String Light Continued .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .009 / 19 .012 / 19 .018 / 23 .027 / 26 251

 

Acoustic 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB Technology

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 Total Tension (lbs)
Extra Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .023 / 27 .030 / 26 .039 / 24 .047 / 20 131
Custom Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 20 .015 / 20 .022 / 25 .032 / 30 .042 / 28 .052 / 24 147
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 29 .032 / 30 .042 / 28 .053 / 25 158
Light-Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 29 .035 / 35 .045 / 33 .056 / 28 171
Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .026 / 34 .035 / 35 .045 / 33 .056 / 28 183
HD Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .025 / 32 .032 / 30 .042 / 28 .053 / 25 169
12-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .023 / 27 .030 / 26 .039 / 24 .047 / 20  
12-String Light Continued .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .009 / 19 .012 / 18 .018 / 23 .027 / 26 251
12-String Medium
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 29 .032 / 30 .042 / 28 .053 / 25  
12-String Medium Continued .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .010 / 23 .012 / 18 .016 / 19 .024 / 22 286
12-String Heavy
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .030 / 47 .039 / 44 .047 / 36 .056 / 28  
12-String Heavy Continued .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .014 / 45 .018 / 42 .027 / 47 .035 / 44 439
  B-1 F#-2 D-3 A-4 E-5 B-6  
6-String Baritone
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .016 / 26 .022 / 25 .030 / 29 .047 / 40 .059 / 35 .070 / 16 171
8-String Baritone
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .016 / 27 .022 / 26 .030 / 47 .047 / 44 .059 / 36 .070 / 28  
8-String Baritone Continued     .014 / 26 .017 / 21     255

 

Acoustic 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB® Technology

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 Total Tension (lbs)
Extra Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .023 / 27 .030 / 26 .039 / 24 .047 / 20 131
Custom Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 20 .015 / 20 .022 / 25 .032 / 30 .042 / 28 .052 / 24 147
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 29 .032 / 30 .042 / 28 .053 / 25 158
Light-Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 29 .035 / 35 .045 / 33 .056 / 28 171
Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .013 / 27 .017 / 26 .026 / 34 .035 / 35 .045 / 33 .056 / 28 183
Resonator Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .016 / 41 .018 / 29 .028 / 40 .035 / 35 .045 / 33 .056 / 28 206
12-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .023 / 27 .030 / 26 .039 / 24 .047 / 20  
12-String Light Continued .010 / 16 .014 / 18 .009 / 19 .012 / 18 .018 / 23 .027 / 26 251

 

Electric Guitar String Tension Guides:

Electric Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Technology

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 Total Tension (lbs)
Super Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 13 .011 / 11 .016 / 15 .024 / 16 .032 / 16 .042 / 15 85
Custom Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 13 .011 / 11 .016 / 15 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17 94
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .017 / 17 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17 103
Light-Heavy Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .017 / 17 .032 / 28 .042 / 26 .052 / 22 124
Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 20 .014 / 18 .018 / 19 .028 / 21 .038 / 22 .049 / 20 118
Heavy Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 23 .016 / 23 .024 / 28 .032 / 28 .042 / 26 .052 / 22 151
12-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .017 / 17 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17  
12-String Light Continued .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .009 / 19 .012 / 18 .018 / 23 .026 / 23 217
  B-1 F#-2 D-3 A-4 E-5 B-6  
Baritone
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .012 / 15 .016 / 15 .022 / 17 .038 / 24 .052 / 25 .068 / 24 120

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 27" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 B-7 F#-8 Total Tension (lbs)
7-String Super Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 15 .011 / 12 .016 / 16 .024 / 18 .032 / 18 .042 / 17 .052 / 14 - 110
7-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 18 .013 / 17 .017 / 19 .026 / 21 .036 / 22 .046 / 20 .056 / 16 - 133
7-String Light / Heavy
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 18 .013 / 17 .017 / 19 .026 / 21 .036 / 22 .046 / 20 .059 / 18 - 135
7-String Medium
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 22 .014 / 20 .018 / 21 .028 / 24 .038 / 24 .049 / 22 .059 / 18 - 151
8-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 18 .013 / 17 .017 / 19 .030 / 29 .042 / 29 .054 / 28 .064 / 22 .074 / 16 178

 

Electric Nickel Plated Steel with OPTIWEB® Technology

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 Total Tension (lbs)
Super Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 13 .011 / 11 .016 / 15 .024 / 16 .032 / 16 .042 / 15 85
Custom Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 13 .011 / 11 .016 / 15 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17 94
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .017 / 17 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17 103
Light-Heavy Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .017 / 17 .032 / 28 .042 / 26 .052 / 22 124
Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 20 .014 / 18 .018 / 19 .028 / 21 .038 / 22 .049 / 20 118

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 27" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 B-7 F#-8 Total Tension (lbs)
7-String Super Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 15 .011 / 12 .016 / 16 .024 / 18 .032 / 18 .042 / 17 .052 / 14 - 110
7-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 18 .013 / 17 .017 / 19 .026 / 21 .036 / 22 .046 / 20 .056 / 16 - 133
7-String Light / Heavy
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 18 .013 / 17 .017 / 19 .026 / 21 .036 / 22 .046 / 20 .059 / 18 - 135
7-String Medium
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 22 .014 / 20 .018 / 21 .028 / 24 .038 / 24 .049 / 22 .059 / 18 - 151
8-String Light
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 18 .013 / 17 .017 / 19 .030 / 29 .042 / 29 .054 / 28 .064 / 22 .074 / 16 178

 

Electric Nickel Plated Steel with POLYWEB Technology

String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5" guitar scale length and standard tuning.

Gauge E-1 B-2 G-3 D-4 A-5 E-6 Total Tension (lbs)
Super Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 13 .011 / 11 .016 / 15 .024 / 16 .032 / 16 .042 / 15 85
Custom Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .009 / 13 .011 / 11 .016 / 15 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17 94
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .010 / 16 .013 / 15 .017 / 17 .026 / 18 .036 / 20 .046 / 17 103
Medium Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 .011 / 20 .014 / 18 .018 / 19 .028 / 21 .038 / 22 .049 / 20 120

 

Bass Guitar String Tension Guides:

Electric Bass Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Technology

Tensions shown below are an approximation. All tensions are based upon a particular scale length (Long=34" or Extra Long=36") and standard tuning.

Gauge Scale Length G-1 D-2 A-3 E-4 B-5 Total Tension (lbs)
Super Light, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .040 / 34 .060 / 43 .075 / 38 .095 / 34 - 149
Light, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 43 .065 / 51 .080 / 42 .100 / 37 - 173
Light/Medium, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 43 .065 / 51 .085 / 48 .105 / 40 - 182
Light/Medium, Extra Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 36" .045 / 48 .065 / 58 .085 / 54 .105 / 45 - 205
Medium, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .050 / 53 .070 / 60 .085 / 48 .105 / 40 - 201
Light, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 43 .065 / 51 .085 / 48 .105 / 40 .130 / 34 216
Light/Medium, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 43 .065 / 51 .085 / 48 .105 / 40 .135 / 36 218

 

Electric Bass Stainless Steel with NANOWEB Technology

Tensions shown below are an approximation. The tuning is given for a particular scale length (Long=34") and standard tuning.

Gauge Scale Length G-1 D-2 A-3 E-4 B-5 Total Tension (lbs)
Light, Long Scale Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 42 .065 / 47 .080 / 40 .100 / 34 - 163
Light/Medium, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 42 .065 / 47 .085 / 45 .105 / 37 - 171
Medium, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .050 / 49 .070 / 56 .085 / 45 .105 / 37 - 187
Light, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 42 .065 / 47 .085 / 45 .105 / 37 .130 / 32 203
Light/Medium, Long Scale
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 42 .065 / 47 .085 / 45 .105 / 37 .135 / 33 204

 

Acoustic Bass 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB Technology

Tension shown below is an approximation. The tuning is given for a particular scale length (Long=34") and standard tuning.

Gauge Scale Length G-1 D-2 A-3 E-4 Total Tension (lbs)
Light Strings
Diameter (in) / Tension (lbs)		 34" .045 / 48 .065 / 56 .080 / 47 .100 / 40 191

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