Most common
Open position
The standard cowboy G. Ring, middle and little finger do the work, so the index finger stays free for the change to C.
NotesG · B · D
Fret spanFrets 2–3
DifficultyEasy
Best forChanging to C
G Chord on Guitar
Four useful ways to play G major: two open fingerings that use the same notes, a movable barre shape, and a fuller four-finger voicing. Every shape is printable.
Easier reach
1-2-3 fingering
The same notes with a more compact hand. Index on the A string keeps the stretch small and the change to D quick.
NotesG · B · D
Fret spanFrets 2–3
DifficultyEasy
Best forChanging to D
Movable shape
Barre at 3rd fret
The E shape moved up three frets. Learn it once and the same grip gives you A at the fifth fret and B at the seventh.
NotesG · B · D
Fret spanFrets 3–5
DifficultyHard
Best forMoving up the neck
Fuller voicing
Four-finger G
Adds D on the B string for a thicker sound. Ring finger on the B string, little finger on the high E, so nothing crosses over.
NotesG · B · D
Fret spanFrets 2–3
DifficultyModerate
Best forFuller strumming
Compare all 4 fingerings
Every card below is the printable file itself, at full size on the page. Choose the shape that fits your hand and the chord that comes next, then print or download it on its own.
What notes are in G major?
Chord tones
GBD
G is the root, B is the major third, and D is the perfect fifth. Every shape on this page sounds those notes and nothing else; only the order and the octave change.
Common keys
G majorC majorD majorE minor
G belongs to all four of these keys, which is why it turns up so often in songs that never mention it in the title.
About the G chord
G major is one of the first chords worth learning properly, because the fingering you pick decides how easy the next chord is. The classic open G uses the ring, middle and little finger and leaves the index free, which suits players heading for C. The 1-2-3 fingering plays exactly the same notes with a more compact hand and suits players heading for D. Neither is more correct than the other, and most people end up using both. The barre shape at the third fret is the one that pays off later: it is movable, so the same grip gives you A at the fifth fret and B at the seventh.
Find G in these printable sheets
Practise the chord in context, then take the blank sheets to write down the shapes a teacher shows you.
Guitar Chord Chart 12 essential guitar chords. Print the full chart or save it for later. View chart → Beginner Chord Chart Eight easy open chords, in the order they are worth learning. No barre shapes. View chart → Blank Chord Chart Empty diagrams to fill in by hand, 6, 12 or 24 to a page. View sheet → Power Chords Chart Eight shapes, and the two movable ones that cover the whole neck. View sheet → Printable Chord Chart Every sheet on the site as a PDF, ready for A4 or US Letter. View sheet → Pentatonic Scale Chart The five box shapes in any key, with the frets you actually play. View sheet → Guitar Scales Chart Five scales across the whole neck, roots marked, in any key. View sheet →
Learn these next
The other chords with more than one shape worth knowing.
Frequently asked questions
Which G fingering should a beginner use?
Open position. The standard cowboy G. Ring, middle and little finger do the work, so the index finger stays free for the change to C. Once it lands cleanly every time, the other shapes on this page are worth adding, because each one buys you something different.
Why are there several ways to play the same chord?
They contain the same notes, G, B, D, but they put your hand in different places. Which one is right depends on the chord you are moving to next and on how much of the neck the song uses, not on which one is "correct".
Is the G barre shape worth learning?
Yes, because it moves. The E shape moved up three frets. Learn it once and the same grip gives you A at the fifth fret and B at the seventh. The grip costs more up front and then keeps paying for itself in every key.
Which strings do I strum for G?
All six strings are part of this shape, so you can strum from the low E string down.
Can I print just one shape?
Yes. Each shape has its own Print button and its own printable card, so you can put a single fingering on the wall instead of the whole page. The PNG download is the same image at 1000 × 1500, sized for a phone or a Pinterest board.