How to Read Chord Diagrams: Dots, Numbers, x, o and “3fr” Explained

A chord diagram shows you part of your instrument’s neck – as if it were hanging on the wall in front of you, headstock up. So you’re looking at the fretboard from the front. Once you understand it, you can work out any new chord yourself.

Lines: strings and frets

• The vertical lines are the strings. On the far left is the string that’s on top when you play, close to your chin. In the app each string’s name is written underneath.
• The horizontal lines are the fret wires. The space between two lines is one fret.
• The thick line at the top is the nut – that’s where the fretboard begins.

Dots and numbers: where and with which finger

A dot shows where to press: on that string in that fret, ideally just behind the fret wire. The number in the dot tells you which finger presses:

• 1 = index finger
• 2 = middle finger
• 3 = ring finger
• 4 = little finger

A bar across several strings means a barre: one finger, usually the index, presses several strings at the same fret. Some books use a T for the thumb.

Above the nut: o and x

• A circle (o) means: this string rings open, without a finger.
• A cross (x) means: don’t play this string. Don’t strike it, or mute it with a finger.
• If there’s nothing above a string and no dot on it, it usually means the same as a cross.

Higher up the neck: “3fr”

If a chord sits higher up, the diagram doesn’t show the nut but just a section of the neck. Next to it there’s a fret number such as “3fr” (fr for fret), sometimes in Roman numerals like III. It means: the top row in the diagram is the 3rd fret. In the app you then see no thick nut, just the number to the left of the first row.

Instrument quirks

• Banjo: the short 5th string only starts at the 5th fret. In the diagram it’s dashed above that point.
• Mandolin: each line stands for a pair of strings. A dot means: press both strings of the pair.
• Bass guitar: here the diagram usually shows just one note, the root of the chord. A pale dot with a 5 marks the fifth you can add.
• Left-handers: in the app you can mirror all diagrams, so the low string is on the right.

A chord diagram shows one chord to hold. For melodies where notes come one after another there’s tab – more in Reading tab.