Guitar Chord Chart
Interactive fingering diagrams for all guitar chords in every key. Open chords, barre chords, major, minor, 7th, and more. Free, no account required.
G Major
Open Open, ringing, full strumming
1-3-5
How to Play G Major
This is an open chord. Play the indicated frets with your fretting hand, leaving open strings unfretted.
Essential Open Guitar Chords
The 15 most common open chords every guitarist should know. These form the foundation of acoustic and electric guitar playing.
How to Read a Guitar Chord Diagram
Strings and Frets
Vertical lines are strings. Left = low E (thickest), right = high e (thinnest). Horizontal lines are frets. The thick top line is the nut (unless a fret number is shown).
Dots, X and O
Filled dots show where to place your fingers. Numbers inside show the fret. An O above a string means play it open (unfretted). An X means do not play or mute that string.
Barre Chord Numbers
When a number appears to the right of the diagram (e.g., "3fr"), the chord starts at that fret, not the open position. Use your index finger to barre across that fret and play the shape shown.
Open Chords vs Barre Chords
| Feature | Open Chords | Barre Chords |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner friendly | Intermediate - requires strength |
| Keys | Best for C, D, E, G, A | All 12 keys |
| Sound | Open, resonant, full ringing | Tight, controlled, movable |
| Strings used | Some strings muted | All 6 strings (usually) |
| Position | First 3 frets only | Any position on neck |
| Examples | G, C, D, Em, Am | F, Bm, Bb, C#m |
| Best for | Acoustic, folk, campfire | Electric, any key, full band |
Guitar Chords by Genre
Pop
Key chords: G, D, Em, C
G - D - Em - C (I-V-vi-IV)
The 4 chords of pop. Capo 2-5 to adjust for singer range.
Rock
Key chords: E, A, D, G, power chords
E - A - D - A
Power chords (root + 5th) work for any key at any position on neck.
Blues
Key chords: A7, D7, E7 (12-bar blues)
A7 - D7 - A7 - E7
The 12-bar blues uses I7, IV7, and V7. In A: A7, D7, E7.
Acoustic / Folk
Key chords: C, G, Am, F, D, Em
G - Em - C - D
Use open chords exclusively. Fingerpicking works well with these shapes.
Country
Key chords: G, C, D, E, A, B7
G - C - D - G
Dominant 7ths (D7, B7) give the classic country twang sound.
R&B / Soul
Key chords: Amaj7, Dm7, Gmaj7, Em7
Amaj7 - D - Gmaj7 - Em7
Extended chords (maj7, min7, 9ths) define the R&B sound. Less strumming, more groove.
Guitar Chord Tips for Beginners
Start with the 7 open chords
Master E, A, D, G, C, Em, and Am first. These cover hundreds of songs and build the muscle memory you need for barre chords later.
Practice chord transitions, not just shapes
Playing a chord perfectly is less useful than switching between two chords smoothly. Practice G to C to D over and over at slow tempo.
Use a capo to play in any key
A capo lets you use open chord shapes in any key. Capo on fret 2 and play G shape = A chord. Use the chord transposer to find the capo position you need.
Press near the fret, not in the middle
Place your fingertips just behind (lower side of) the fret wire. This takes less pressure to get a clean sound and reduces hand fatigue.
Check each string individually
After fretting a chord, pick each string one by one. If a string buzzes or mutes, adjust your finger position. Precision beats speed when learning.
Learn the barre F chord last
F major barre chord is the hardest basic chord. Build strength and coordination on other chords first. Most songs can use Fmaj7 (xx3210) as an easier substitute.