Guitar Notes Chart
Every note on every string from the open string to the 12th fret. Bookmark this page and use it whenever a chord or song asks you to find a note. Sharps (#) are one fret higher than the natural note; flats (♭) are one fret lower - C# and D♭ are the same fret.
| String \ Fret | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E (6th, thickest) | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E |
| A (5th) | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A |
| D (4th) | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D |
| G (3rd) | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G |
| B (2nd) | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B |
| e (1st, thinnest) | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E |
How to find any note without memorizing the chart
- Start from the open string name (E, A, D, G, B, or E).
- Count up the alphabet one fret per letter: E → F (1st fret) → F# (2nd) → G (3rd) and so on.
- Remember the two half-step pairs: E-F and B-C have no sharp between them. Everywhere else there is one fret with a sharp/flat name.
- The 12th fret equals the open string again, one octave up.
Memory anchor: the 5th fret markers (and the inlay dots at frets 5 and 7 on most guitars) are your landmarks. 5th fret of the low E string is A - the same as the next string open.
Practice idea
Set a timer for three minutes. Pick one string and name every note from open to the 12th fret while playing each one. Do a different string each day of the week.
Related tools and lessons
- Interactive fretboard trainer - highlight one note across the whole neck.
- Guitar chord chart - the 12 essential chords.
- Lesson 1: get to know your guitar