Guitar chord finder
Every root and 17 chord types in all five CAGED shapes, from open position up the neck. Hear each chord strummed or picked.
C
Notes: C · E · G
C shape
Open position
A shape
Fret 3
G shape
Fret 5
E shape
Fret 8
D shape
Fret 10
C shape
Fret 12
How CAGED works
The open C, A, G, E and D chords are five movable shapes. Slide one up the neck and your index finger takes the place of the nut. In that order they link end to end, so each chord repeats in up to five shapes across the whole fretboard.
Amber dots are the roots each shape hangs on; the numbers under each diagram are the chord degrees (1, 3, 5, ♭7…). Partial voicings skip strings the full shape can't reach with this chord.
Learn the CAGED system: the first lesson is freeChord charts for every key
Pick a chord for its notes, formula and every shape on the neck.
Learn it in the course
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a chord diagram?
Strings run from low E on the left to high E on the right, frets from the top down. Dots show where to press and amber dots are the root. × means don't play that string, ○ means play it open, and a bar is a barre with one finger.
What's the difference between open and barre chords?
Open chords use open strings near the nut, so they ring out and are easier at first. Barre chords have no open strings, so one shape moves up the neck to any root.
Which chords should a beginner learn first?
E minor and A minor, then A, D and E major, then C and G. Those seven open chords cover a huge number of songs. The first lesson of each chord chapter in the course is free.
Why does the same chord appear in several shapes?
Every chord can be played in up to five CAGED shapes along the neck: the same notes in a different order and octave. Pick the shape closest to where your hand already is.