Lute string tension calculator
A Renaissance lute runs at very low tension: in Gamut's medium-tension gut stringing for a 59 cm lute in G, most strings sit between 2.55 and 3.1 kg, and only the single chanterelle on top reaches 4 kg. The eleven strings of a 6-course lute add up to about 32 kg (70.6 lb), less than the six strings of a classical guitar (about 38 kg with a D'Addario EJ45 in the calculator), so each lute string carries less than half the tension of a guitar string.
Tension of Gamut's medium gut set, 59 cm lute
Renaissance tuning in G with the 4th course in octaves, from the chanterelle down, calculated on a 600 mm lute with unit weights fitted to Gamut's table: about 3.4 % above Gamut's 59 cm values (73 lb, 33 kg in all). Gauges in inches: .0165″ = 0.42 mm.
| String | Note | Gauge | kg | lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G4 | .0165 | 4.1 | 9.1 |
| 2 | D4 | .0197 | 3.2 | 7.1 |
| 3 | D4 | .0197 | 3.2 | 7.1 |
| 4 | A3 | .0252 | 3.0 | 6.6 |
| 5 | A3 | .0252 | 3.0 | 6.6 |
| 6 | F4 | .0157 | 2.7 | 6.0 |
| 7 | F3 | .0315 | 2.9 | 6.4 |
| 8 | C4 | .0205 | 2.7 | 6.0 |
| 9 | C3 | .0409 | 2.8 | 6.2 |
| 10 | G3 | .0276 | 2.8 | 6.2 |
| 11 | G2 | .0551 | 2.6 | 5.8 |
How to use it
- The page opens with the Lute and Gamut's medium gut set. It opens with the 4th course in octaves, as in Gamut's table.
- Type your string length: Gamut's table is for 59 cm, the calculator's default is 600 mm.
- Change a gauge to see what a heavier or lighter string does, or switch to unison on the 4th course.
Help and explanations
The calculator starts from that stringing on a 600 mm lute. Change the string length, a gauge or the tuning, and every string is recalculated in kg, lb or N.
Gamut's stringing, course by course
The chanterelle (G4) is a single 0.42 mm gut string at 4 kg. The 2nd course (D4) uses two 0.50 mm strings at 3.1 kg and the 3rd (A3) two 0.64 mm at 2.9 kg. From the 4th course down, each course pairs a fundamental with an octave string: F3 on 0.80 mm with F4 on 0.40 mm, C3 on 1.04 mm with C4 on 0.52 mm, and G2 on 1.40 mm with G3 on 0.70 mm, all between 2.55 and 2.8 kg.
Lutenists aim for an even feel across the courses, which is why the bass strings carry almost the same tension as the trebles despite being an octave or more lower.
How the numbers are checked
Tension follows T = UW × (2 × L × F)² ÷ 386.4. For gut, the calculator uses unit weights that reproduce Gamut's published table: on a 600 mm lute it comes out about 3.4 % above Gamut's 59 cm values, as expected from the longer string (tension grows with the square of the length).
Gut density varies between makers and constructions such as plain, roped or wound basses, so treat any other gut maker's strings as an estimate until you check their own table.
Tips
- The chanterelle breaks most often: at 4 kg it carries the most tension on a thin 0.42 mm gut string.
- Gut is sensitive to humidity: retune before playing, and see how to restring a lute for fitting new strings.
- Tune course by course with the lute tuner.
Frequently asked questions
What is the string tension on a lute?
Low: in Gamut's medium gut stringing for a 59 cm Renaissance lute, 4 kg (8.8 lb) on the chanterelle and about 2.55 to 3.1 kg (5.6 to 6.8 lb) on the other strings, about 32 kg for all eleven.
What are lute strings made of?
Traditionally gut. Today players also use nylon, Nylgut and wound basses. This page starts from Gamut's gut strings.
How is a 6-course Renaissance lute tuned?
In G: G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 G4 from the 6th course to the 1st, with octave strings on the bass courses and a single chanterelle on top. Gamut's table also puts the 4th course in octaves.
What gauge are lute strings?
In Gamut's medium set for 59 cm: 0.42 mm chanterelle, 0.50 mm on D4, 0.64 mm on A3, and 0.80, 1.04 and 1.40 mm for the F3, C3 and G2 basses, with 0.40, 0.52 and 0.70 mm octave strings.
How many strings does a lute have?
A 6-course Renaissance lute has eleven: five pairs and a single chanterelle. Eight-course lutes have fifteen, and baroque lutes thirteen courses.