The CAGED system — five shapes for the C, A, G, E and D chords
Each of the five basic major chords played with the five CAGED shapes on frets 0–15. The order of the shapes is always the same: C → A → G → E → D → C… Only the shape you start with at the nut changes. Standard tuning E A D G B E.
- How to read itColor is the shape. The R dot is the root (the chord’s name), 3 is the major third, 5 is the fifth. The same color in two places is the same shape repeated 12 frets higher.
- Moving a shapeThe shape moves together with its root. The E shape with its root on the 5th fret of the low E string is an A chord; with the root on the 3rd fret it is a G chord.
- Major → minorIn every shape, move only the “3” dots one fret down. The roots and fifths stay where they are.
C major notes: C · E · G
From the nut up: C → A → G → E → D → C (12 frets higher)
C · frets 0–3
fingering (E→e): × 3 2 0 1 0
root: B1, A3
A · frets 3–5
fingering (E→e): × 3 5 5 5 3
root: G5, A3
G · frets 5–8
fingering (E→e): 8 7 5 5 5 8
root: e8, G5, E8
E · frets 8–10
fingering (E→e): 8 10 10 9 8 8
root: e8, D10, E8
D · frets 10–13
fingering (E→e): × × 10 12 13 12
root: B13, D10
A major notes: A · C# · E
From the nut up: A → G → E → D → C → A (12 frets higher)
A · frets 0–2
fingering (E→e): × 0 2 2 2 0
root: G2, A0
G · frets 2–5
fingering (E→e): 5 4 2 2 2 5
root: e5, G2, E5
E · frets 5–7
fingering (E→e): 5 7 7 6 5 5
root: e5, D7, E5
D · frets 7–10
fingering (E→e): × × 7 9 10 9
root: B10, D7
C · frets 9–12
fingering (E→e): × 12 11 9 10 9
root: B10, A12
G major notes: G · B · D
From the nut up: G → E → D → C → A → G (12 frets higher)
G · frets 0–3
fingering (E→e): 3 2 0 0 0 3
root: e3, G0, E3
E · frets 3–5
fingering (E→e): 3 5 5 4 3 3
root: e3, D5, E3
D · frets 5–8
fingering (E→e): × × 5 7 8 7
root: B8, D5
C · frets 7–10
fingering (E→e): × 10 9 7 8 7
root: B8, A10
A · frets 10–12
fingering (E→e): × 10 12 12 12 10
root: G12, A10
E major notes: E · G# · B
From the nut up: E → D → C → A → G → E (12 frets higher)
E · frets 0–2
fingering (E→e): 0 2 2 1 0 0
root: e0, D2, E0
D · frets 2–5
fingering (E→e): × × 2 4 5 4
root: B5, D2
C · frets 4–7
fingering (E→e): × 7 6 4 5 4
root: B5, A7
A · frets 7–9
fingering (E→e): × 7 9 9 9 7
root: G9, A7
G · frets 9–12
fingering (E→e): 12 11 9 9 9 12
root: e12, G9, E12
D major notes: D · F# · A
From the nut up: D → C → A → G → E → D (12 frets higher)
D · frets 0–3
fingering (E→e): × × 0 2 3 2
root: B3, D0
C · frets 2–5
fingering (E→e): × 5 4 2 3 2
root: B3, A5
A · frets 5–7
fingering (E→e): × 5 7 7 7 5
root: G7, A5
G · frets 7–10
fingering (E→e): 10 9 7 7 7 10
root: e10, G7, E10
E · frets 10–12
fingering (E→e): 10 12 12 11 10 10
root: e10, D12, E10