Power chords on guitar

A power chord is just the root and the fifth, usually with the root doubled on top: three strings, one shape, movable anywhere. With the root on the 6th string, the fret number tells you the chord (F5 at the 1st fret, A5 at the 5th); on the 5th string the same shape starts from A.

• E5 0-2-2-x-x-x Play E5
• G5 3-5-5-x-x-x Play G5
• A5 x-0-2-2-x-x Play A5
• C5 x-3-5-5-x-x Play C5

E5 and A5 use open strings. Every other power chord is the fretted shape: index finger on the root, ring finger two frets up on the next string, pinky on the same fret as the ring finger one string further. Some players use the ring finger flat across both.

The shape

Put your index finger on the root, on the low E string. Your ring finger goes two frets higher on the A string: that's the fifth. Your pinky goes on the same fret as the ring finger, on the D string: that's the root again, an octave up. Play only those three strings. For G5 that's frets 3, 5 and 5, the notes G, D, G.

Move the identical shape across one string and the root is on the A string instead. C5 is the same shape starting at the 3rd fret of the A string: C, G, C. That's the whole system: two string sets, one shape.

The two-note version (root and fifth only, no pinky) is just as correct and easier to move quickly. The pinky note adds weight.

A first riff-style exercise

Play E5, G5, A5 then C5, one chord per beat or two. It jumps between the two string sets, which is exactly the skill you need.

Keep the hand shape frozen as you move. Your fingers shouldn't change shape at all between G5 and C5; only the arm moves.

Power chords for all 12 roots

Every root has a shape on both string sets. Tap to hear it; each button plays exactly the three notes of that shape.

Sharp and flat roots use the usual chord spelling; B♭5 is the same as A♯5, and F♯5 the same as G♭5.

Most roots sit comfortably in the first seven frets on one string or the other. Choose the position closest to the previous chord. The guitar fretboard notes page shows every note on both strings.

Why "5"?

Chord symbols name the notes above the root. The "5" in C5 means "C plus the fifth", and the fifth of C is G. A full C chord is C, E and G; Cm is C, E♭ and G. The third (E or E♭) is what makes a chord major or minor. Leave it out and you get C5: a sound that fits in both, which is why rock players can use power chords almost anywhere. For more on how fifths and thirds work, see the perfect fifth and triads.

Palm muting

Palm muting gives power chords their chugging sound. Rest the fleshy edge of your picking hand, below the little finger, lightly on the strings right where they cross the bridge saddles. Pick with down-strokes. Too far toward the neck and the notes die into a thud; too far back on the bridge and there's no muting at all. Move the hand a few millimeters at a time until the notes are short and punchy but still have pitch.

A common pattern: palm-mute eighth notes on one chord, then lift the palm and let the next chord ring. The contrast between muted and open is most of what makes rock rhythm parts sound exciting.

Keeping it clean

• Mute the strings you don't play. The underside of your index finger lightly touches the higher strings so they stay quiet if your pick hits them. For 5th-string shapes, the tip of your index finger touches the low E string to silence it.
• Down-strokes only at first. They sound heavier and keep the pick on the three strings you want.
• Release the pressure between chords. Let the fingers relax on the strings as you slide to the next position; the brief muting sounds tidy.

Where next

• Barre chords use the same root chart with full major and minor shapes.
• Chord progressions: play any of them with power chords for an instant rock version.
• Guitar chords for beginners if you want open chords first.
• Keep steady time with the metronome, and tune with the guitar tuner.

Frets and sounds are computed for standard tuning (E A D G B E); every button plays exactly the strings drawn. Updated September 2026.