C Guitar Chord

Looking for C# (C♯)? →

C is a major chord made of C · E · G. A major triad — bright and stable, the most basic chord. The standard shape is an open chord: x32010 (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

Open chord · x32010

Fret 3 barre · root on 5th string · x35553

Fret 8 barre · root on 6th string · 8-10-10-9-8-8 · from fret 8

Index finger on string 2 (B), fret 1.
Middle finger on string 4 (D), fret 2.
Ring finger on string 5 (A), fret 3.
Let strings 3, 1 ring open.
Don't play string 6 (or mute lightly).
Strum down from string 5.

C guitar chord chart — open chord x32010 and 2 more shapes — All C shapes on one image — long-press (or right-click) to save it.

Notes in the chord

C
rootE
3rdG
5th

Play it easier with a capo

Capo on fret 2 + B♭ shape → sounds as C
Capo on fret 3 + A shape → sounds as C
Capo on fret 5 + G shape → sounds as C
Capo on fret 7 + F shape → sounds as C

If barre chords are hard, clamp a capo and play an open shape — it sounds exactly the same. The Buskermate app can move a whole chord sheet to any capo position for you.

Try it: capo on

Keys that use this chord

the I chord in C major · the V chord in F major · the IV chord in G major

Scales that fit

Other C chords

C Cm C7 Cmaj7 Cm7 C6 Cm6 Csus4 Csus2 C7sus4 Cdim Cdim7 Cm7b5 Caug Cadd9 C9 Cm9 Cmaj9

Major chords in other keys

C C♯D E♭E F F♯G A♭A B♭B

FAQ

What notes are in the C chord?

The C chord is made of C, E, G. A major triad — bright and stable, the most basic chord.

What's the easiest way to play C on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is x32010 (an open chord). If the barre is hard, put a capo on fret 2 and play a B♭ shape — it sounds the same.

Which scale works for soloing over C?

C major or C major pentatonic fits well.

🎸 Transpose a whole chord sheet — Buskermate
Upload a PDF song sheet and Buskermate reads the chords and moves them to any key or capo position (the app is in Korean for now).