F Major Guitar Chord (F)
F is the first barre chord most players meet and the one that stops the most beginners. The full grip is 133211, index across all six strings. xx3211 is the same chord without the barre, and it's fine to play it for years.
F is burnt crust.
F chord shapes in 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.
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. That's 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.