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F Chord on Guitar

F is the F major chord — 3 notes (F, A, C) built from the formula 1 3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: F · A · CFormula: 1 · 3 · 5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

F: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • F – open positionR3R35Ropen position
  • F – fret 1R5R35Rfret 1
  • F – fret 33××R5R3fret 3
  • F – fret 55×R35R3fret 5
  • F – fret 88×R5R35fret 8
  • F – fret 1010R35R3Rfret 10
  • F – fret 1313R5R35Rfret 13

F: Triad voicings (3 strings)

  • F – bass: R10R35×××bass: R
  • F – bass: R5×R35××bass: R
  • F – bass: R××R35×bass: R
  • F – bass: R8×××R35bass: R
  • F – bass: 335R×××bass: 3
  • F – bass: 310×35R××bass: 3
  • F – bass: 35××35R×bass: 3
  • F – bass: 3×××35Rbass: 3
  • F – bass: 575R3×××bass: 5
  • F – bass: 5×5R3××bass: 5
  • F – bass: 510××5R3×bass: 5
  • F – bass: 55×××5R3bass: 5

Keys that contain F

Scales to play over F

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain F, A, C.

Other F chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Major chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the F chord?
F (F major) contains F, A, C — formula 1 3 5.
How do you play F on guitar?
A common shape is 103211 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with F?
Good choices to solo over F: F Ionian (Major), F Lydian, F Major pentatonic.
What key is F in?
F is diatonic in C major (IV), F major (I), B♭ major (V), D minor (♭III), G minor (♭VII), A minor (♭VI).