Pick the Right Guitar Strings

A quick gauge recommendation based on tuning, scale length, and how you play.

Quick guide

How the gauge calculator works

The String Gauge Calculator gives you a sensible starting point by combining your setup (tuning, scale, string count) with how you want it to feel.

What you tell it

Your answers describe the instrument, number of strings, scale length, and tuning notes (including 7/8/12‑string presets).

  • Setup — instrument type, string count, scale
  • Tuning — preset or custom notes (low string matters most)
  • Feel — slinky/balanced/stiff nudges the gauges up/down

What it calculates

It starts from a known “baseline” set, then adjusts gauge to keep tension in the same ballpark when you change tuning and scale.

  • Lower tuning → thicker lows to avoid flub
  • Longer scale → slightly thinner for the same feel
  • Rounding → outputs common real‑world gauges

How to use the result

Treat the suggested gauges as a starting point, then adjust based on what you feel under your fingers.

  • Low strings floppy? bump the lowest 1–2 strings up a step
  • Bends too hard? drop the plain strings down a step
  • Shopping tip compare the suggested set to the closest brand set listed below

String Gauge Calculator

Answer a few questions and we’ll recommend a solid starting point.

Quick note: this is a best‑match starting point. Different brands (and core/wrap designs) can feel different even at the same gauge—use this to narrow it down, then fine‑tune by feel.

Scale length and tuning change tension a lot.

What are you stringing?
How many strings?
Scale length
Tuning

We’ll bias toward easier bends or a tighter, punchier feel.

What’s your main role?
Preferred feel?
Picking attack
Longevity preference?

This guides material choice more than gauge.

What tone do you want?
You’re 0/9 questions done

Browse

Browse string sets

Search and filter the Ernie Ball catalog by instrument, material, gauges, and longevity.

Instrument
  • Any
  • Electric
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
Strings
  • Any
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 12
Material
  • Any
  • Nickel Wound
  • Pure Nickel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Cobalt
  • M-Steel
  • Phosphor Bronze
  • 80/20 Bronze
  • Aluminum Bronze
  • Silk & Steel
  • Other
Longevity
  • Any
  • Coated (longer)
  • Uncoated
Sort
  • Name (A–Z)
  • Name (Z–A)
  • Thinnest (high) thin → thick
  • Thinnest (high) thick → thin
  • Thickest (low) thin → thick
  • Thickest (low) thick → thin
Gauge range
Any gauge range
Per page
  • 12
  • 24
  • 48