D major chord on guitar (D)

D is D, F♯ and A. The easiest shape is x-x-0-2-3-2. Tap Play, then slow it down.

x-x-0-2-3-2 · open · easy

Notes: D · F♯ · A
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5
First shape: x-x-0-2-3-2

How to play D on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-0-2-3-2, reading from the low E string on the left:

A: index finger, 2nd fret of the G string.
F♯: middle finger, 2nd fret of the high E string.
D: ring finger, 3rd fret of the B string.
Leave the D string open: D.
Strum from the D string down; the low E and A strings stay silent.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
With four strings sounding, a shorter strum works best: start on the first played string and stop at the high E.

Other ways to play D

10-12-12-11-10-10: barre shape at the 10th fret, medium. The root is on the low E string, so you can slide this shape to play any major chord.
x-5-7-7-7-5: barre shape at the 5th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.

Capo shortcuts for D

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open C shape (x-3-2-0-1-0), capo on the 5th fret and play the open A shape (x-0-2-2-2-0) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open G shape (3-2-0-0-0-3). The chord sounds as D because the capo raises every string by 2 half steps.

Moving between D and its neighbours

Songs rarely hold D for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

G (IV in D major): D (x-x-0-2-3-2) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger slides across to the high E string at the same fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Listen for D, which stays put while the rest moves. G on guitar
A (V in D major): D (x-x-0-2-3-2) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 2nd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. A carries over from one chord to the other. A on guitar
Bm (vi in D major): D (x-x-0-2-3-2) to Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the B string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 4th fret, the pinky finger comes down on the G string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Shared notes: D and F♯. Bm on guitar

A major chord sounds finished and open. Major chords are the backbone of most songs; D is home in D major and a common IV or V in the keys around it. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

Getting D under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: D, A, D, F♯. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Next, alternate x-x-0-2-3-2 and 10-12-12-11-10-10, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

D in context

In D major, I–V–vi–IV on guitar is D (x-x-0-2-3-2), A (x-0-2-2-2-0), Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2) and G (3-2-0-0-0-3). About the pop progression.

In D major, I–IV–V on guitar is D (x-x-0-2-3-2), G (3-2-0-0-0-3) and A (x-0-2-2-2-0). About the three-chord progression.

In D major, I–vi–IV–V on guitar is D (x-x-0-2-3-2), Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2), G (3-2-0-0-0-3) and A (x-0-2-2-2-0). About the 50s progression.

D on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: D on piano and D on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Close to D

Other major chords

D on guitar: questions

What notes are in D on guitar?

D, F♯ and A. In the x-x-0-2-3-2 shape the strings play D (D string, open), A (G string), D (B string) and F♯ (high E string), so D is doubled.

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

x-x-0-2-3-2, shape 1 above. Open strings do part of the work, so no barre.

Is D a barre chord on guitar?

Not in its common form: x-x-0-2-3-2 needs no barre. Barre forms exist up the neck if you want a different sound.

Which string does D start on?

In the x-x-0-2-3-2 shape the lowest string you play is the D string, open, which is D, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Every shape above plays only D, F♯ and A, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.