G diminished chord on guitar (Gdim)

Gdim is G, B♭ and D♭. The usual shape is x-x-5-3-2-3. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

x-x-5-3-2-3 · movable · medium

Notes: G · B♭ · D♭
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
First shape: x-x-5-3-2-3

How to play Gdim on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-5-3-2-3, reading from the low E string on the left, starts at the 2nd fret:

D♭: index finger, 2nd fret of the B string.
B♭: middle finger, 3rd fret of the G string.
G: ring finger, 3rd fret of the high E string.
G: pinky finger, 5th fret of the D string.
Strum from the D string down; the low E and A strings stay silent.

This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.
This one reaches. Let the thumb slide lower on the neck and the stretch gets noticeably easier.
Aim the strum at the thinner strings only; the lower ones are marked × for a reason.

Other ways to play Gdim

x-10-11-12-11-x: movable shape at the 10th fret, medium. This is the open Adim shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-5-6-8-6: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.
15-13-x-15-14-x: movable shape at the 13th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.

Gdim chord changes

The chords Gdim usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

A♭ (leads up a half step): Gdim (x-x-5-3-2-3) to A♭ (4-6-6-5-4-4): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 4th fret, the middle finger goes to the G string, 5th fret, your ring finger lands on the A string, 6th fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. A♭ on guitar
G♯m (leads up a half step): Gdim (x-x-5-3-2-3) to G♯m (4-6-6-4-4-4): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 4th fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 6th fret, the ring finger goes to the D string, 6th fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. G♯m on guitar
Cm (iii in A♭ major): Gdim (x-x-5-3-2-3) to Cm (x-3-1-0-1-3): move the index finger to the D string, 1st fret, move the middle finger to the B string, 1st fret, the ring finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. G carries over from one chord to the other. Cm on guitar

Gdim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. Gdim rarely stays long; it's a passing chord that usually climbs a half step to the next chord. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

Practice Gdim in two minutes

Arpeggiate x-x-5-3-2-3 from the lowest string: G, B♭, D♭, G. Then strum it and listen for the same 4 notes together. Finish by moving between x-x-5-3-2-3 and x-10-11-12-11-x to learn two positions of the same chord.

Keys and progressions with Gdim

Gdim on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try Gdim on ukulele or Gdim on piano, or compare them on the Gdim chord page.

Related G chords on guitar

Other diminished chords

Gdim on guitar: questions

What notes are in Gdim on guitar?

G, B♭ and D♭. In the x-x-5-3-2-3 shape the strings play G (D string), B♭ (G string), D♭ (B string) and G (high E string), so G is doubled.

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

No open-string Gdim exists in standard tuning; x-x-5-3-2-3 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 Gdim a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-x-5-3-2-3 needs no barre.

Which string does Gdim start on?

In the x-x-5-3-2-3 shape the lowest string you play is the D string at the 5th fret, which is G, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Gdim. Updated September 2026.