Power chords are the backbone of rock, punk, and metal guitar. They’re simple, powerful, and the fastest way to sound great on electric guitar.
What Are Power Chords?
A power chord (also called a “5” chord, like G5, A5, E5) uses just two or three notes: the root and the fifth. Unlike major or minor chords, power chords have no third – which means they’re neither happy nor sad. They just sound… powerful.
How to Play Power Chords
Two-String Power Chord (Root on E String)
1. Place your 1st finger on any fret of the low E string (this is your root note)
2. Place your 3rd finger two frets higher on the A string
3. Only strum these two strings
Example – G5 (G Power Chord):
– 1st finger: 3rd fret, low E string
– 3rd finger: 5th fret, A string
Three-String Power Chord
Add your 4th finger (pinky) on the same fret as your 3rd finger, one string lower:
Example – G5 (three-string):
– 1st finger: 3rd fret, low E string
– 3rd finger: 5th fret, A string
– 4th finger: 5th fret, D string
Root on A String
The same shapes work with the root on the A string:
Example – C5:
– 1st finger: 3rd fret, A string
– 3rd finger: 5th fret, D string
Power Chord Chart
Here are the most common power chords with root on the low E string:
E5: 0-2-2-x-x-x (open position)
F5: 1-3-3-x-x-x
G5: 3-5-5-x-x-x
A5: 5-7-7-x-x-x (or open: x-0-2-2-x-x)
B5: 7-9-9-x-x-x
C5: x-3-5-5-x-x (root on A string)
D5: x-5-7-7-x-x (root on A string)
Palm Muting with Power Chords
Palm muting is the technique that gives power chords their chunky, percussive sound:
1. Rest the edge of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge
2. Strum the power chord – it should sound tight and muted
3. Lift your palm slightly for an open, ringing sound
4. Alternate between muted and open hits for dynamics
Songs That Use Power Chords
– “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana (F5, Bb5, Ab5, Db5)
– “Back in Black” – AC/DC (E5, D5, A5)
– “Iron Man” – Black Sabbath (B5, D5, E5, G5)
– “Blitzkrieg Bop” – Ramones (A5, D5, E5)
– “Seven Nation Army” – White Stripes (E5, G5, A5)
– “Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple (G5, Bb5, C5)
Browse our collection of rock chord songs to practice!
Drop D Tuning for Power Chords
Drop D tuning (tune your low E string down to D) makes power chords even easier – you can play them with just one finger barred across the bottom three strings:
– D5 in Drop D: 0-0-0-x-x-x
– E5 in Drop D: 2-2-2-x-x-x
– G5 in Drop D: 5-5-5-x-x-x
DADGAD and Open D Chords
DADGAD tuning (D-A-D-G-A-D) is popular in Celtic and folk music. It creates a droning, open sound where simple chord shapes produce rich harmonies.
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) makes the open strings a D major chord. Slide one finger across all strings at any fret for instant major chords. Used extensively in blues and slide guitar.