D Guitar Chord

D is the D major chord. It has three notes: D, F♯ and A. The open shape is a small triangle on the three thinnest strings, with the open D string as the root. Because nothing lower is played, D sounds lighter than the other open chords.

The open D triangle. Three fingers on the top three strings, root on the open D.

How to play D, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, G string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, high E string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, B string
Leave the D string open. Strum from the D string down, skipping the two lowest strings.

Next, drill the change from D to G and from D to A. D, G and A are the three chords of the key of D and they turn up together constantly.

More ways to play D

There are 4 common D shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

D guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 5, played x57775 — Barre at fret 5

D guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 5 to 7, played xx7775 — Compact, frets 5 to 7

D guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played 10 12 12 11 10 10 — Barre at fret 10

If D sounds thin or buzzy

High E is dead: The ring finger on the B string is leaning into it. Curl the ring finger, then pick the high E on its own to confirm it rings.
The chord rumbles: You are catching the two lowest strings. Aim the strum at the open D string; the low E is not in the chord at all.
Buzz on the G string: The index finger is sitting too far behind the 2nd fret. Slide it up against the fret wire and press with the tip.

What makes it a D

D · F♯ · A 1 3 5

D major is the root D, the major third F♯ and the fifth A. It works as the I chord in the key of D, the IV chord in A, and the V chord in G. The V job is the one you will feel most: in the huge family of songs in G, the D chord is the moment of tension, and the return to G is the release. In the key of D it is the opposite: D is the resting point everything else leans toward.

D vs Dm

The F♯ in D falls to F in Dm, and that single half step flips the chord from bright to dark. On guitar both are compact shapes on the top four strings, but the fingers trade places: in Dm the index moves to the high E string at the 1st fret. The two shapes feel similar under the hand, so the choice is purely about the sound the song needs.

D chord questions

Why do you skip the two lowest strings on D?

The low E is not a note of the chord. The open A actually is a chord tone, but the standard shape leaves it out so the root D sits on the bottom and the chord sounds clean.

Is D a good beginner chord?

Yes, it is usually among the first three or four chords anyone learns. The shape is small; the common early mistake is hitting too many bass strings.

What is the difference between D and Dm?

One note: F♯ versus F. D sounds bright, Dm sounds sad. The open shapes differ by where the index finger goes.

How can I make D sound bigger?

Use the barre versions on this page. The A shape barre at fret 5 adds a low root on the A string, and the fret 10 barre plays all six strings.

What songs use the D chord?

From this page: Sweet Home Alabama, I'm Yours, Fast Car and Wagon Wheel. Songs in the keys of D, A and G all reach for it.