The 5 chord shapes that unlock the entire fretboard. Learn the CAGED system and you can play any chord, scale, or arpeggio in any key, anywhere on the neck.
The CAGED system is a framework for understanding the guitar fretboard using 5 open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D. These shapes are named after the open chords they are based on.
Every major chord on guitar can be played in 5 different places on the neck, using one of these 5 shapes moved up with a barre. The shapes connect end-to-end along the fretboard in CAGED order, repeating every 12 frets.
Once you know the CAGED shapes, you can play any chord in any key, navigate the neck without getting lost, and understand where your scale positions live relative to each chord shape.
Every chord shape connects to the next in CAGED order. After the C shape comes the A shape, then G, then E, then D, then C again. If you know where one shape is, you automatically know where all 5 shapes are for that key.
Here is how all 5 CAGED shapes cover the full neck for G major. Each shape connects directly to the next with overlapping notes.
| Shape | Fret Area | Root Location | Pentatonic Position | Scale Guides Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G shape | Open (0-3) | Low E fret 3, High e fret 3 | Position 3 | - |
| D shape | Frets 3-7 | D string fret 5 (G) | Position 4 | High strings |
| C shape | Frets 5-8 | A string fret 10 (barre) | Position 5 | Middle neck |
| A shape | Frets 7-10 | A string fret 10 (G) | Position 2 | Upper neck |
| E shape | Frets 10-15 | Low E string fret 3 (or 15) | Position 1 | Foundation |
E and A shape roots are on low E and A strings. G shape: root on low E. D shape: root on D string. C shape: root on A string.
| Key | E shape (low E) | A shape (A string) | G shape (low E) | D shape (D string) | C shape (A string) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Fret 8 | Fret 3 | Fret 5 | Fret 10 | Open |
| C#/Db | Fret 9 | Fret 4 | Fret 6 | Fret 11 | Fret 1 |
| D | Fret 10 | Fret 5 | Fret 7 | Open | Fret 2 |
| Eb | Fret 11 | Fret 6 | Fret 8 | Fret 1 | Fret 3 |
| E | Open | Fret 7 | Fret 9 | Fret 2 | Fret 4 |
| F | Fret 1 | Fret 8 | Fret 10 | Fret 3 | Fret 5 |
| F#/Gb | Fret 2 | Fret 9 | Fret 11 | Fret 4 | Fret 6 |
| G | Fret 3 | Fret 10 | Open | Fret 5 | Fret 7 |
| Ab | Fret 4 | Fret 11 | Fret 1 | Fret 6 | Fret 8 |
| A | Fret 5 | Open | Fret 2 | Fret 7 | Fret 9 |
| Bb | Fret 6 | Fret 1 | Fret 3 | Fret 8 | Fret 10 |
| B | Fret 7 | Fret 2 | Fret 4 | Fret 9 | Fret 11 |
Each CAGED shape has a corresponding pentatonic and major scale position. Knowing the chord shape tells you exactly where to solo.
Each CAGED shape also defines an arpeggio (root, 3rd, 5th only). Arpeggios are the strongest possible choice over any chord.
| Shape | Arpeggio Notes (C major) | Best Use | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | C E G (open position) | Rhythmic strumming arpeggios, fingerpicking | Fingerpick p-i-m-a pattern |
| A | C E G (A string root) | Lead arpeggio runs, sweep picking | Sweep pick ascending/descending |
| G | C E G (low E root) | Full-range arpeggio spanning neck | Two-hand tapping or sweep |
| E | C E G (low E string) | Classic rock arpeggio pattern | Alternate pick or sweep pick |
| D | C E G (high strings) | Treble-string lead arpeggios | Alternate pick, easy to legato |
The CAGED system applies to minor chords too. The 5 shapes become Am, Em, and Dm open shapes (C minor and G minor barre shapes exist but are less commonly named in the minor CAGED system).
The most important minor shapes are:
| Minor Shape | Open Version | Root String | A minor on the neck | Connects to Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Em shape | E minor | Low E | A minor = fret 5 | Natural minor Position 1 |
| Am shape | A minor | A string | A minor = open | Natural minor Position 2 |
| Dm shape | D minor | D string | A minor = fret 7 | Natural minor Position 4 |
The CAGED system is a framework for learning the entire guitar fretboard using 5 open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D. Every major chord can be played in 5 different positions on the neck using these shapes moved up with a barre. The shapes link together in CAGED order across the fretboard, giving you complete coverage of all 12 keys in every position.
For G major: G shape (open, frets 0-3), D shape (frets 3-7, root on D string fret 5), C shape (frets 5-8, barre), A shape (frets 7-11, root on A string fret 10), E shape (frets 10-15, root on low E fret 3 or 15). Each shape covers a different section of the neck and connects to the next shape.
Start with the E shape barre chord. Move the open E major chord shape up the neck with a barre to play any major chord: fret 1 = F, fret 3 = G, fret 5 = A, fret 7 = B, fret 8 = C, fret 10 = D. The root is always on the low E string. The A shape barre (root on A string) is the second most important shape to learn.
Each CAGED shape has a matching pentatonic scale position. E shape connects to pentatonic Position 1, A shape to Position 2, G shape to Position 3, D shape to Position 4, C shape to Position 5. When you know which CAGED chord shape you are playing, you immediately know which scale position to solo in.