F♯ diminished chord on guitar (F♯dim)

F♯dim is F♯, A and C. The usual shape is x-x-4-2-1-2. Tap Play, then slow it down.

x-x-4-2-1-2 · movable · medium

Notes: F♯ · A · C
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
First shape: x-x-4-2-1-2

How to play F♯dim on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-4-2-1-2, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret, which is C.
Put your middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A.
Put your ring finger on the high E string at the 2nd fret, which is F♯.
Put your pinky finger on the D string at the 4th fret, which is F♯.
Skip the low E and A strings and begin the strum from the D string.

This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.
A four-fret stretch: drop your wrist a little and point your thumb up the back of the neck.
Only four strings sound, so strum from the string marked first and aim your pick at the treble strings.

Other ways to play F♯dim

x-9-10-11-10-x: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. This is the open Adim shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-4-5-7-5: movable shape at the 4th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.
14-12-x-14-13-x: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

F♯dim chord changes

The chords F♯dim usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

G (leads up a half step): F♯dim (x-x-4-2-1-2) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the low E string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the high E string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. G on guitar
Gm (leads up a half step): F♯dim (x-x-4-2-1-2) to Gm (3-5-5-3-3-3): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 3rd fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 5th fret, move the ring finger to the D string, 5th fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Gm on guitar
Bm (iii in G major): F♯dim (x-x-4-2-1-2) 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. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared note: F♯. Bm on guitar

F♯dim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. F♯dim rarely stays long; it's a passing chord that usually climbs a half step to the next chord. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

A short F♯dim drill

Before strumming, play x-x-4-2-1-2 note by note: F♯ then A then C then F♯. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Finish by moving between x-x-4-2-1-2 and x-9-10-11-10-x to learn two positions of the same chord.

You may also see it as G♭dim; nothing changes on the guitar.

Keys and progressions with F♯dim

F♯dim on piano and ukulele

F♯dim on piano and ukulele uses the same 3 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Related F♯ chords on guitar

Other diminished chords

F♯dim on guitar: questions

What notes are in F♯dim on guitar?

F♯, A and C. In the x-x-4-2-1-2 shape the strings play F♯ (D string), A (G string), C (B string) and F♯ (high E string), so F♯ is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play F♯dim on guitar?

No open-string F♯dim exists in standard tuning; x-x-4-2-1-2 is the place to start. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is F♯dim a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-x-4-2-1-2 needs no barre.

Which string does F♯dim start on?

In the x-x-4-2-1-2 shape the lowest string you play is the D string at the 4th fret, which is F♯, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

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