What are the basic guitar chords?

C, G, D, A, E, A minor, E minor and D minor. They are called open chords because they use open strings.

How many chords do I need to know to play songs?

Three or four. C, G, D and E minor, or C, G, A minor and F, cover a huge share of popular songs.

Why does my chord sound muffled?

A finger is touching a string it should not, or is too far from the fret. Arch your fingers and press just behind the fret.

Guide

Basic guitar chords

The basic guitar chords are eight open chords: C, G, D, A, E, A minor, E minor and D minor. With them you can play thousands of songs. Tap any diagram to open its page and hear it, and the table shows the order to learn them.

The eight basic chords

Thick E string on the left. Numbers are fingers, a cross means do not play that string, a circle means play it open. Tap a chord to open its page.

In words: C major is x 3 2 0 1 0. G major is 3 2 0 0 0 3. D major is x x 0 2 3 2. A major is x 0 2 2 2 0. E major is 0 2 2 1 0 0. A minor is x 0 2 2 1 0. E minor is 0 2 2 0 0 0. D minor is x x 0 2 3 1. Numbers are frets, thick string to thin, and x means do not play that string.

How to read a chord diagram

The vertical lines are the six strings, thick on the left.
The horizontal lines are frets. The thick bar at the top is the nut.
A dot is where a finger presses. The number says which finger: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.
A cross above a string means skip it. A circle means let it ring open.

Which chord to learn first

Order	Chords	Why
1	Em, Am	Two or three fingers, very forgiving.
2	C, G	The two chords behind most beginner songs.
3	D, A	Fingers bunch close together. Takes a little practice.
4	E, Dm	E is Em plus one finger. Dm completes the set.

Learn them in pairs that often sit next to each other in songs.

Watch out

Check every string

After making a shape, pick each string one at a time. A dull or buzzing string means a finger is touching it. Fix it now and it will not become a habit.

Changing between chords

1
Look for a finger that stays
C to Am keeps fingers 1 and 2 in place. Only the ring finger moves.
2
Move all fingers together
Lift the whole shape a little and land it at once, instead of one finger at a time.
3
Change early
Start moving on the last beat of the bar, so the new chord is ready on beat one.

Use them in a song

Try it now

Greensleeves, chords mode

Greensleeves uses Am, C, G and E. Four basic chords in one song, at any speed you like.

Open the song

Questions people ask

What are the basic guitar chords?: C, G, D, A, E, A minor, E minor and D minor. They are called open chords because they use open strings.
How many chords do I need to know to play songs?: Three or four. C, G, D and E minor, or C, G, A minor and F, cover a huge share of popular songs.
Why does my chord sound muffled?: A finger is touching a string it should not, or is too far from the fret. Arch your fingers and press just behind the fret.