F chord on guitar

F is the F major chord. Its notes are F, A and C. A clear, stable sound. A natural home chord in a major key.

How to play F

Barre chord

fret 1, E shape
BARREEADGBe

133211

Partial barre

fret 1
BARRE×E×ADGBe

xx3211

Compact alternative

×E×ADGB×e

xx321x

Barre chord

fret 8, A shape
BARRE×EADGBe8

x-8-10-10-10-8

Barre tip: the long bar marked BARRE means one finger presses several strings at once. Lay it flat just behind the fret, press with the bony outer edge rather than the soft middle, and keep your thumb behind the neck. Pick each string one at a time and nudge the finger until none of them buzz. Still building strength? The partial barre shape is a good stepping stone.

Numbers show frets from the low E string to the high e string; x means don't play that string.

What's in F

Formula
1 · 3 · 5
Also written
F, FM, Fmaj
Chord type
Major

Keys that use F

F is the I chord in F major, the IV chord in C major and the V chord in B♭ major. That makes it a natural fit in songs written in those keys.

F notes across the neck

open123456789101112FACACFAFACACFCFAFAC

Every F, A and C on the first 12 frets. The filled dots are the root, F. Build your own shape from any nearby group.

Related chords

Other F chords

Other major chords

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