Handy Guitar Chord Navigator

Looking to quickly find a chord shape and learn how to play it on the guitar? Or maybe you’re into fingerstyle and searching for unique voicings with a more colorful sound? Our interactive guitar chord navigator is exactly what you need.

It’s designed for both beginners and advanced guitarists: it runs right in your browser, displays chord diagrams for any chord, in any tuning, supports right-handed and left-handed players, and even lets you listen to and download the chosen shape.

How to Use the Tool

To select and explore a chord, follow these steps at the top of the interface:

Choose the root note — for example, C, D#, A.
Select the chord quality — major, minor, seventh, diminished, and so on.
Optionally select a bass note — for slash chords like C/E.
Pick the guitar tuning — default is standard EADGBE.
Optionally set the capo position — from fret 0 to 10.
Set the fretboard orientation — vertical or horizontal.
Choose your playing hand — right-handed or left-handed.
Adjust display mode — show notes, finger numbers, etc.
Enable chord auto-play and adjust the volume if you wish — so you can immediately hear the selected chord at a comfortable level.

As soon as you make your selection, the chord will be shown on the fretboard, along with alternative voicings listed below that you can toggle between.

What You See on the Fretboard

Chord diagrams are shown in the standard tab-style layout — just like you’re holding the guitar and looking down at the fretboard. This is the most familiar visualization, especially if you’re used to playing from tabs.

Here’s how to read the diagram:

Numbers below the fretboard — indicate fret positions: 1, 3, 5, and so on, helping you know where to press the string.
Numbers inside circles on the strings or to the left of the diagram — show which finger to use on the fretting hand: 0 = open string, 1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky, T = thumb (often seen in fingerstyle and other advanced shapes).
If a string isn’t used — an X appears next to it meaning you shouldn’t play or fret that string.
When note display is enabled — the actual note names like E, G#, or C are shown instead of finger numbers. This is great for learning chord theory and note structure. You can still see which finger goes where, thanks to color-coded circles: each finger is always marked with the same color — 1 (index) = blue, 2 (middle) = orange, 3 (ring) = purple, 4 (pinky) = pink, T (thumb) = brown.
When interval display is enabled — instead of note names or finger numbers, the chord intervals are shown: 1P (perfect unison), 3M (major third), 5P (perfect fifth), 7m (minor seventh) and others. This helps to better understand the structure of the chord and how the notes relate to each other. The labels consist of a degree 1 - 13 and an interval kind: P — perfect, M — major, m — minor, A — augmented, d — diminished. The system of colored circles remains active, so you can still easily see which finger presses each string.
When left-handed mode is selected — all diagrams are automatically mirrored to suit left-handed players.

The tool also supports non-standard chord shapes, which is especially useful for fingerstyle and other advanced techniques. In some positions, the thumb may be used to fret bass notes — just like guitarists Tommy Emmanuel or Trace Bundy do.

Tool Features

The interface is designed with attention to detail — everything you need to:

Play back the chord — just click the play button above the diagram. You’ll hear a warm acoustic guitar, powered by the Musyng Kite SoundFont (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Download as SVG — get a clean vector image of the chord shape. Read more about the usage rules below.
Switch between variations — using the “next” and “previous” buttons.
Access detailed info — including chord tones and theoretical formula.

The tool responds instantly — all changes apply without reloading the page. If you didn’t find the chord you need, spotted a mistake, or would like to suggest additional features, contact us — any feedback helps us make the tool even better.

Terminology Explained

If you’re just starting out with guitar, don’t worry — everything is easy to follow. Here’s a quick glossary to help you understand the key terms and get comfortable with the tool:

Chord diagram — a visual representation showing which strings to press on which frets. Think of it as a snapshot of your left hand on the fretboard — especially useful if you don’t read standard notation yet.
Root note — the note the chord is built from. For example, in Am, the root is A. It gives the chord its name and tonal center.
Chord quality — the character of the chord: major (bright, open), minor (moody, introspective), or extended with sevenths, diminished, or augmented tones. This is where the richness of guitar harmony comes in.
Bass note — the note played in the lowest voice of the chord. It’s usually the same as the root, but in slash chords like C/E (C chord with E in the bass), the bass differs. This allows for richer voicings without changing the main chord shape.
Tuning — how the guitar strings are tuned. The most common is EADGBE, but there are many alternatives, such as DADGAD, often used in fingerstyle and acoustic music.
Capo — a clamp that attaches to the fretboard and raises the pitch of all strings. It lets you play in different keys without changing your chord shapes — great for singers and accompaniment.
Accidental — the way notes are written: using sharps (#) or flats (b). For example, the same note can be called F# or Gb.
Octave — the register number in which a note sounds (for example, C4). Helpful if you want to know the exact pitch.

Now you know what each setting means. All that’s left is to dive in and enjoy making music!

Why It’s So Convenient

This tool isn’t just a reference — it’s a true musical companion that’s always within reach. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you’ll find it incredibly helpful:

Quickly find any chord — no need to dig through theory or search endlessly.
Instantly see how to play it — clear, accurate, and easy to follow.
Browse different chord variations — find the shape that fits your hand best.
Explore rare and complex voicings — perfect for fingerstyle, jazz, and alternative harmonies.
Customize the interface to your needs — orientation, tuning, capo, left-handed mode, everything adjusts instantly.

It runs right in your browser — everything you need is already here.

Tips for Beginners

Just started learning guitar? Great! Here are a few tips to help you get started faster:

Start with the basic chords — C, G, Am, Em, and D are simple, sound great, and are used in thousands of songs.
Use this tool as a practice trainer — look at the diagram, place your fingers, listen to the chord, and train your ear and memory.
Don’t be afraid to try chord variations — the same chord can sound completely different depending on where it’s played on the fretboard.
Experiment with alternate tunings — great for fresh inspiration, especially if you write your own music or play fingerstyle.
Save chord diagrams — you can download them as SVG files, print them out, or keep them for practice sessions.

Most importantly — enjoy playing. Chords aren’t just theory — they’re the foundation of real, living music. Remember that the finger positions shown in the diagrams are only a guideline — you can try other fingerings as well. Use the tool as a reliable guide, not as a strict rule, leaving room for your own style and freedom.

License and Terms of Use for Guitar Chord Diagrams

You may freely use the downloaded SVG diagrams for any non-commercial purposes — learning, personal practice, blog posts, or videos. A link to the tool is appreciated as a sign of support for the project, but it is not required.

If you plan to use the diagrams in commercial projects (such as publications, applications, or online courses), please contact us in advance to discuss the terms of use and obtain permission.

Works Offline — Always Accessible

You can install the tool as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and use it even without an internet connection. It’s perfect for practice sessions, traveling, or simply staying focused on playing without distractions.

On Android and tablets:

Open the site in Chrome browser.
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
Select “Install app” or “Add to Home screen”.
Confirm the installation and follow the on-screen instructions.

On desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux):

Open the site in Chrome or Edge.
If available, click the “Install” icon in the address bar.
If not, open the menu (three dots) and choose “Install”.
The app will open in a separate window and appear in your Start menu or Applications folder.

Alternatively, just bookmark the site — that way your go-to chord tool is always one click away.