F major chord on guitar (F)

F is F, A and C. The usual shape is 1-3-3-2-1-1, a barre at the 1st fret. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

1-3-3-2-1-1 · barre · hard

Notes: F · A · C
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5
First shape: 1-3-3-2-1-1

How to play F on guitar

Shape 1, 1-3-3-2-1-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

Barre the 1st fret with your index finger, covering all the strings.
Put your middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A.
Put your ring finger on the A string at the 3rd fret, which is C.
Put your pinky finger on the D string at the 3rd fret, which is F.

A barre at the 1st fret is the hardest place to press. Pull your elbow in slightly and roll the index finger onto its bony edge; it takes less force than pressing harder.
This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.

Other ways to play F

x-x-3-2-1-1: movable shape, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
13-15-15-14-13-13: barre shape at the 13th fret, medium. Built on the E open shape with the barre as a movable nut; the root is on the 6th string.
x-8-10-10-10-8: barre shape at the 8th fret, medium. The root is on the A string; it's the A shape moved up the neck.

Playing F with a capo

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 1st fret and play the open E shape (0-2-2-1-0-0), capo on the 3rd fret and play the open D shape (x-x-0-2-3-2) or capo on the 5th fret and play the open C shape (x-3-2-0-1-0). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Changing from F to the chords around it

The chords F usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

B♭ (IV in F major): F (1-3-3-2-1-1) to B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the D string, 3rd fret, the ring finger goes to the G string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: F. B♭ on guitar
C (V in F major): F (1-3-3-2-1-1) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your ring finger stays put, move the index finger to the B string, 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. C carries over from one chord to the other. C on guitar
Dm (vi in F major): F (1-3-3-2-1-1) to Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1): your middle finger stays put, your index finger lands on the high E string, 1st fret, move the ring finger to the B string, 3rd fret. Shared notes: F and A. Dm on guitar

A major chord sounds finished and open. Major chords are the backbone of most songs; F is home in F major and a common IV or V in the keys around it. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Getting F under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: F, C, F, A, C, F. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to x-x-3-2-1-1 and back four times without looking at your hand.

F in context

In F major, I–V–vi–IV on guitar is F (1-3-3-2-1-1), C (x-3-2-0-1-0), Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1) and B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1). About the pop progression.

In F major, I–IV–V on guitar is F (1-3-3-2-1-1), B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1) and C (x-3-2-0-1-0). About the three-chord progression.

In F major, I–vi–IV–V on guitar is F (1-3-3-2-1-1), Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1), B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1) and C (x-3-2-0-1-0). About the 50s progression.

F on piano and ukulele

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

Related F chords on guitar

Other major chords

F on guitar: questions

What notes are in F on guitar?

F, A and C. In the 1-3-3-2-1-1 shape the strings play F (low E string), C (A string), F (D string), A (G string), C (B string) and F (high E string), so F and C are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play F on guitar?

In standard tuning F can't use open strings. Begin with x-x-3-2-1-1. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is F a barre chord on guitar?

In its standard form, yes. 1-3-3-2-1-1 has your index finger across the 1st fret. x-x-3-2-1-1 avoids the barre.

Which string does F start on?

In the 1-3-3-2-1-1 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 1st fret, which is F, the root.

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