D♯ diminished chord on guitar (D♯dim)

D♯dim is D♯, F♯ and A. The usual shape is x-x-1-2-4-2. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

x-x-1-2-4-2 · movable · medium

Notes: D♯ · F♯ · A
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
First shape: x-x-1-2-4-2

How to play D♯dim on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-1-2-4-2, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: D string, 1st fret (D♯).
Middle finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Ring finger: high E string, 2nd fret (F♯).
Pinky: B string, 4th fret (D♯).
Don't play the low E and A strings: start your strum on the D string.

The pinky takes a note here. Keep it curved and close to the fretboard between chords so it has less distance to travel.
A four-fret stretch: drop your wrist a little and point your thumb up the back of the neck.
Only four strings sound, so strum from the string marked first and aim your pick at the treble strings.

Other ways to play D♯dim

x-6-7-8-7-x: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.
x-x-13-11-10-11: movable shape at the 10th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.

Changing from D♯dim to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold D♯dim for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

E (leads up a half step): D♯dim (x-x-1-2-4-2) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. E on guitar
Em (leads up a half step): D♯dim (x-x-1-2-4-2) to Em (0-2-2-0-0-0): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. Em on guitar
G♯m (iii in E major): D♯dim (x-x-1-2-4-2) to G♯m (4-6-6-4-4-4): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 4th fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 6th fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 6th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Shared note: D♯. G♯m on guitar

D♯dim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. D♯dim rarely stays long; it's a passing chord that usually climbs a half step to the next chord. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

A short D♯dim drill

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: D♯, A, D♯, F♯. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to x-6-7-8-7-x and back four times without looking at your hand.

E♭dim is another spelling of D♯dim. Same shape, same sound.

Where D♯dim shows up

D♯dim on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: D♯dim on piano and D♯dim on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Close to D♯dim

Other diminished chords

D♯dim on guitar: questions

What notes are in D♯dim on guitar?

D♯, F♯ and A. In the x-x-1-2-4-2 shape the strings play D♯ (D string), A (G string), D♯ (B string) and F♯ (high E string), so D♯ is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play D♯dim on guitar?

D♯dim has no open-string shape in standard tuning, so every version needs a barre or a stretch. Start with x-x-1-2-4-2. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and a capo is worth trying when the song allows.

Is D♯dim a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-x-1-2-4-2 needs no barre.

Which string does D♯dim start on?

In the x-x-1-2-4-2 shape the lowest string you play is the D string at the 1st fret, which is D♯, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Every shape above plays only D♯, F♯ and A, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.