C Ukulele Chord

C is the C major chord, the first chord almost everyone learns on ukulele. It has three notes: C, E and G. The open shape needs one finger: the ring finger on the A string at the 3rd fret, with the other three strings open.

The open C: ring finger on the A string at the 3rd fret and everything else open. One finger, four ringing strings.

How to play C on ukulele, step by step

Ring finger: 3rd fret, A string
Leave the G, C and E strings open. Strum all four strings.

Because the whole chord is one finger, use it to train your strum: keep the wrist loose and brush all four strings evenly. The free fingers hover ready for the next chord, which is usually G, F or Am.

More ways to play C

There are 3 common C shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

C ukulele chord diagram, barre at fret 3, played 5433 — Barre at fret 3

C ukulele chord diagram, frets 5 to 7, played 5707 — Frets 5 to 7

If your C does not ring

The A string buzzes: The ring finger is sitting too far behind the 3rd fret. Slide the fingertip up next to the fret wire and press with the tip, not the pad.
The open strings sound dull: Part of the fretting hand is brushing them. Only the ring finger should touch the ukulele; arch it so the g, C and E strings have clear air.
The chord sounds thin: Strum through all four strings at one even speed. Stopping short of the A string leaves out the fretted C, which is the note naming the chord.

What makes it a C

C · E · G 1 3 5

C major is the root C, the major third E and the fifth G. The open ukulele almost plays it by itself: the g, C and E strings are already chord tones, and the one fretted note simply adds a second C on top. That is why C is the instrument's first chord.

C is the I chord in the key of C, the IV chord in G and the V chord in F. C is also the home key of most ukulele songbooks, so nearly everything a beginner plays leans on this chord and returns to it.

C vs Cm

One note changes: the E in C drops to E flat in Cm. That single half step is the whole difference between major and minor, bright and dark.

On the ukulele the two shapes feel very different: C is one finger, while Cm covers the bottom three strings at the 3rd fret. Play them back to back and the mood flips even though two of the three notes never move.

C chord questions

Is C the easiest ukulele chord?

It is one of them. One finger, three open strings, and no stretch. Am and A7 are also one finger chords, but C is the one courses teach first.

Which finger should play the C chord?

The ring finger, on the A string at the 3rd fret. The index would work, but using the ring finger leaves the index and middle hovering where G, F and Am need them.

Does this C shape work on a baritone ukulele?

No. A baritone is tuned DGBE, like the top four guitar strings, so the same grip makes a different chord. This page is for standard gCEA tuning.

What is the difference between C and Cm?

Cm lowers the middle note: E becomes E flat. On the ukulele Cm is played with three fingers at the 3rd fret instead of one.

What songs use the C chord?

Almost anything in the keys of C, F or G, which covers most ukulele songbooks. If a song sheet for ukulele exists, C is very likely on it.