B Major Guitar Chord (B)
B major is a three-note chord built from B (the root), D♯ (the major third), and F♯ (the perfect fifth). It is bright and grounded, the kind of chord that ends songs. If a progression is a journey, B major is the front door. Below are 4 ways to play it in standard tuning, easiest shape first.
B chord shapes — standard tuning
How to play it
Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings (from the A (5th) string up) at fret 2 — that barre is the backbone of this B shape. Then add your middle finger on the D (4th) string at fret 4, your ring finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 4, and your pinky finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 4. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum — start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.
Once that shape is comfortable, try the other 3 voicings above — same notes, different neck positions and textures.
Notes in this chord
| Symbol | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| R | root | B |
| 3 | major third | D♯ |
| 5 | perfect fifth | F♯ |
Keep exploring
Other tunings
Open the interactive chord charts to see B in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.
More B chords
Nearby major chords
B FAQ
What notes are in B?
B contains B, D♯, and F♯ — the root (B), the major third, and the perfect fifth.
Is B a barre chord?
The most common B shape (x-2-4-4-4-2) is a barre chord — your index finger bars fret 2 across 5 strings. There is no standard open-position shape for this chord in standard tuning, but the diagrams above include every practical alternative up the neck.
What is the easiest way to play B on guitar?
Start with the barre · 2fr shape x-2-4-4-4-2. Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings (from the A (5th) string up) at fret 2 — that barre is the backbone of this B shape. Then add your middle finger on the D (4th) string at fret 4, your ring finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 4, and your pinky finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 4. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum — start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.