Guitar Chords Reference
Learn and explore essential guitar chords with interactive diagrams
About Guitar Chords
A guitar chord is a group of notes played together to create harmony. Learning chords is fundamental to playing guitar, as they form the basis of most songs. This reference guide covers the most essential chords every guitarist should know.
Each chord diagram shows you exactly where to place your fingers on the fretboard. The vertical lines represent the guitar strings (from left to right: 6th/thickest to 1st/thinnest), and the horizontal lines represent the frets.
- Dots with numbers show where to place your fingers (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky)
- â—‹ (circle) above the diagram means play that string open (no finger)
- ✕ (X) above the diagram means don't play that string
- Numbers on the left indicate the starting fret position for barre chords
C
C Major
C major is one of the most fundamental chords in guitar. It consists of the notes C, E, and G.
D
D Major
D major is a bright, open-sounding chord commonly used in many popular songs.
E
E Major
E major is one of the first chords many guitarists learn. It has a full, rich sound.
G
G Major
G major is a versatile chord with a bright, happy sound. There are multiple ways to play it.
A
A Major
A major is a bright chord commonly used in rock, folk, and country music.
F
F Major
F major is often the first barre chord beginners learn. It requires practice but is essential.
Am
A Minor
A minor is one of the easiest chords to play and has a melancholic, emotional quality.
Em
E Minor
E minor is one of the simplest chords, requiring only two fingers. It has a dark, somber tone.
Dm
D Minor
D minor has a sad, contemplative sound. It's commonly used in ballads and emotional songs.
Fm
F Minor
F minor is a barre chord with a deep, melancholic sound.
Cm
C Minor
C minor has a dark, emotional quality and is commonly used in rock and classical music.
C7
C Dominant 7
C7 is a dominant seventh chord that creates tension and wants to resolve to F major.
D7
D Dominant 7
D7 is commonly used in blues and jazz. It adds color and tension to progressions.
E7
E Dominant 7
E7 is a bluesy chord with a distinctive sound, commonly used in rock and blues.
G7
G Dominant 7
G7 is a bright, jazzy chord often used in swing and jazz music.
A7
A Dominant 7
A7 is commonly used in blues and country music, adding a twangy, bluesy flavor.
B7
B Dominant 7
B7 is a versatile chord used in blues, rock, and jazz progressions.
Cmaj7
C Major 7
Cmaj7 has a dreamy, jazzy quality and is often used in jazz and R&B.
Dmaj7
D Major 7
Dmaj7 is a smooth, sophisticated chord commonly used in jazz and soul.
Emaj7
E Major 7
Emaj7 has a warm, rich sound perfect for jazz and ballads.
Am7
A Minor 7
Am7 is a mellow, jazzy chord that adds sophistication to chord progressions.
Em7
E Minor 7
Em7 is an easy, beautiful chord with a contemplative, peaceful quality.
Dm7
D Minor 7
Dm7 is a smooth, mellow chord frequently used in jazz and R&B.
Chord Practice Tips
Start with Basic Chords
Begin with open chords like Em, Am, C, D, and G. These are easier for beginners and are used in countless songs. Practice switching between these chords smoothly before moving on to more complex chord shapes.
Practice Chord Transitions
Don't just practice individual chords - work on transitioning smoothly between them. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. Common progressions like C-Am-F-G or G-Em-C-D are great for practice.
Check Your Finger Placement
Make sure each finger is pressing down firmly and close to the fret (but not on it). Strum each string individually to ensure all notes ring clearly without buzzing or muting.
Use a Metronome
Practice changing chords in time with a metronome to develop your rhythm and timing. Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
Barre Chords Take Time
Chords like F major and Fm (F minor) are barre chords, which require you to press multiple strings with one finger. These can be challenging at first, so be patient and build up your finger strength gradually.
Popular Chord Progressions
I-V-vi-IV (Pop Progression)
Example in C: C - G - Am - F
Used in countless pop songs, very versatile and pleasant sounding.
12-Bar Blues
Example in A: A7 - A7 - A7 - A7 - D7 - D7 - A7 - A7 - E7 - D7 - A7 - E7
Foundation of blues music, uses dominant 7th chords.
I-IV-V (Rock Progression)
Example in G: G - C - D
Classic rock and roll progression, simple but powerful.
vi-IV-I-V (Sensitive Progression)
Example in C: Am - F - C - G
Emotional progression often used in ballads and slower songs.