F major chord on ukulele (F)

F is F, A and C. The easiest shape is 2-0-1-0. Play it once at full speed, then at a quarter to hear every note.

2-0-1-0 · open · easy

Notes: F · A · C
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5
First shape: 2-0-1-0

How to play F on ukulele

Shape 1, 2-0-1-0, reading from the G string on the left:

Index finger: E string, 1st fret (F).
Middle finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Let the open C and A strings ring (C and A).

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
On ukulele you strum all four strings. The top G string is tuned higher than the C, which is why ukulele chords sound bright and close.

Other ways to play F

10-9-8-8: movable shape at the 8th fret, medium. Higher up the neck it sounds brighter; handy when another guitar is already playing a lower shape.

Playing F with a capo

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 1st fret and play the open E shape (1-4-0-2), capo on the 3rd fret and play the open D shape (2-2-2-0), capo on the 5th fret and play the open C shape (0-0-0-3) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open B♭ shape (3-2-1-1). The chord sounds as F because the capo raises every string by a half step.

Moving between F and its neighbours

These are the changes you'll meet most often with F, using the first shape of each chord.

B♭ (IV in F major): F (2-0-1-0) to B♭ (3-2-1-1): your index finger stays put, your middle finger lands on the A string, 1st fret, the ring finger comes down on the C string, 2nd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the G string, 3rd fret. Listen for F, which stays put while the rest moves. B♭ on ukulele
C (V in F major): F (2-0-1-0) to C (0-0-0-3): move the index finger to the A string, 3rd fret. Shared note: C. C on ukulele
Dm (vi in F major): F (2-0-1-0) to Dm (2-2-1-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, the ring finger comes down on the C string, 2nd fret. That makes it one of the quickest changes from this chord. Listen for F and A, which stay put while the rest moves. Dm on ukulele

A major chord sounds finished and open. All 3 notes of F fit on the ukulele's four strings, with one of them doubled. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

Practice F in two minutes

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: A, C, F, A. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Finish by moving between 2-0-1-0 and 10-9-8-8 to learn two positions of the same chord.

F in context

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

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

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

F on guitar and piano

Switching instruments? Try F on piano or F on guitar, or compare them on the F chord page.

Related F chords on ukulele

Other major chords

F on ukulele: questions

What notes are in F on ukulele?

F, A and C. In the 2-0-1-0 shape the strings play A (G string), C (C string, open), F (E string) and A (A string, open), so A is doubled.

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

2-0-1-0, the shape at the top of this page. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is F a barre chord on ukulele?

Not in its common form: 2-0-1-0 needs no barre.

Which string does F start on?

In the 2-0-1-0 shape the lowest string you play is the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A, the major third.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes F, A and C and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.