F Major Guitar Chord (F)
F major is a three-note chord built from F (the root), A (the major third), and C (the perfect fifth). It is bright and grounded, the kind of chord that ends songs. If a progression is a journey, F major is the front door. Below are 4 ways to play it in standard tuning, easiest shape first.
F chord shapes — standard tuning
How to play it
Lay your index finger flat across all six strings at fret 1 — that barre is the backbone of this F shape. Then add your middle finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 2, your ring finger on the A (5th) string at fret 3, and your pinky finger on the D (4th) string at fret 3. Strum all six strings.
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 | F |
| 3 | major third | A |
| 5 | perfect fifth | C |
Keep exploring
Other tunings
Open the interactive chord charts to see F in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.
More F chords
Nearby major chords
F FAQ
What notes are in F?
F contains F, A, and C — the root (F), the major third, and the perfect fifth.
Is F a barre chord?
The most common F shape (1-3-3-2-1-1) is a barre chord — your index finger bars fret 1 across 6 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 F on guitar?
Start with the barre · 1fr shape 1-3-3-2-1-1. Lay your index finger flat across all six strings at fret 1 — that barre is the backbone of this F shape. Then add your middle finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 2, your ring finger on the A (5th) string at fret 3, and your pinky finger on the D (4th) string at fret 3. Strum all six strings.