Worship

I Can Only Imagine Chords

MercyMe Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · Am · C · D

I Can Only Imagine Chords – Guitar

One of the best-selling Christian songs of all time, “I Can Only Imagine” contemplates what it will be like to stand before God. Simple, powerful, and deeply moving.

Reflective Worship (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Let the verses be contemplative and gentle. The chorus builds with each repetition. The song’s power is in its simplicity — don’t overplay it.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What it will be like

D

When I walk by Your side

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What my eyes will see

D

When Your face is before me

Chorus

C D

Surrounded by Your glory

G

What will my heart feel

Am

Will I dance for You, Jesus

C D

Or in awe of You be still

C D

Will I stand in Your presence

G

Or to my knees will I fall

Am

Will I sing hallelujah

C D

Will I be able to speak at all

G

I can only imagine

Verse 2

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When that day comes

D

And I find myself standing in the Son

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When all I will do

D

Is forever, forever worship You

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Can Only Imagine"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Am, C and D.

Is "I Can Only Imagine" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Can Only Imagine" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Can Only Imagine"?

It was written by Bart Millard, and released in 2001.

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · Am · C · D

I Can Only Imagine Chords – Ukulele

One of the best-selling Christian songs of all time, “I Can Only Imagine” contemplates what it will be like to stand before God. Simple, powerful, and deeply moving.

Reflective Worship (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Let the verses be contemplative and gentle. The chorus builds with each repetition. The song’s power is in its simplicity — don’t overplay it.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What it will be like

D

When I walk by Your side

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What my eyes will see

D

When Your face is before me

Chorus

C D

Surrounded by Your glory

G

What will my heart feel

Am

Will I dance for You, Jesus

C D

Or in awe of You be still

C D

Will I stand in Your presence

G

Or to my knees will I fall

Am

Will I sing hallelujah

C D

Will I be able to speak at all

G

I can only imagine

Verse 2

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When that day comes

D

And I find myself standing in the Son

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When all I will do

D

Is forever, forever worship You

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Can Only Imagine"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Am, C and D.

Is "I Can Only Imagine" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Can Only Imagine" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Can Only Imagine"?

It was written by Bart Millard, and released in 2001.

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · Am · C · D

I Can Only Imagine Chords – Piano

One of the best-selling Christian songs of all time, “I Can Only Imagine” contemplates what it will be like to stand before God. Simple, powerful, and deeply moving.

Reflective Worship (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Let the verses be contemplative and gentle. The chorus builds with each repetition. The song’s power is in its simplicity — don’t overplay it.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What it will be like

D

When I walk by Your side

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What my eyes will see

D

When Your face is before me

Chorus

C D

Surrounded by Your glory

G

What will my heart feel

Am

Will I dance for You, Jesus

C D

Or in awe of You be still

C D

Will I stand in Your presence

G

Or to my knees will I fall

Am

Will I sing hallelujah

C D

Will I be able to speak at all

G

I can only imagine

Verse 2

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When that day comes

D

And I find myself standing in the Son

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When all I will do

D

Is forever, forever worship You

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Can Only Imagine"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Am, C and D.

Is "I Can Only Imagine" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Can Only Imagine" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Can Only Imagine"?

It was written by Bart Millard, and released in 2001.

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · Am · C · D

I Can Only Imagine Chords – Banjo

One of the best-selling Christian songs of all time, “I Can Only Imagine” contemplates what it will be like to stand before God. Simple, powerful, and deeply moving.

Reflective Worship (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Let the verses be contemplative and gentle. The chorus builds with each repetition. The song’s power is in its simplicity — don’t overplay it.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What it will be like

D

When I walk by Your side

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What my eyes will see

D

When Your face is before me

Chorus

C D

Surrounded by Your glory

G

What will my heart feel

Am

Will I dance for You, Jesus

C D

Or in awe of You be still

C D

Will I stand in Your presence

G

Or to my knees will I fall

Am

Will I sing hallelujah

C D

Will I be able to speak at all

G

I can only imagine

Verse 2

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When that day comes

D

And I find myself standing in the Son

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When all I will do

D

Is forever, forever worship You

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Can Only Imagine"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Am, C and D.

Is "I Can Only Imagine" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Can Only Imagine" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Can Only Imagine"?

It was written by Bart Millard, and released in 2001.

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · Am · C · D

I Can Only Imagine Chords – Mandolin

One of the best-selling Christian songs of all time, “I Can Only Imagine” contemplates what it will be like to stand before God. Simple, powerful, and deeply moving.

Reflective Worship (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Let the verses be contemplative and gentle. The chorus builds with each repetition. The song’s power is in its simplicity — don’t overplay it.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What it will be like

D

When I walk by Your side

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What my eyes will see

D

When Your face is before me

Chorus

C D

Surrounded by Your glory

G

What will my heart feel

Am

Will I dance for You, Jesus

C D

Or in awe of You be still

C D

Will I stand in Your presence

G

Or to my knees will I fall

Am

Will I sing hallelujah

C D

Will I be able to speak at all

G

I can only imagine

Verse 2

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When that day comes

D

And I find myself standing in the Son

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When all I will do

D

Is forever, forever worship You

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Can Only Imagine"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Am, C and D.

Is "I Can Only Imagine" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Can Only Imagine" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Can Only Imagine"?

It was written by Bart Millard, and released in 2001.

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · Am · C · D

I Can Only Imagine Chords – Harmonica

One of the best-selling Christian songs of all time, “I Can Only Imagine” contemplates what it will be like to stand before God. Simple, powerful, and deeply moving.

Reflective Worship (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Let the verses be contemplative and gentle. The chorus builds with each repetition. The song’s power is in its simplicity — don’t overplay it.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What it will be like

D

When I walk by Your side

G Am

I can only imagine

C

What my eyes will see

D

When Your face is before me

Chorus

C D

Surrounded by Your glory

G

What will my heart feel

Am

Will I dance for You, Jesus

C D

Or in awe of You be still

C D

Will I stand in Your presence

G

Or to my knees will I fall

Am

Will I sing hallelujah

C D

Will I be able to speak at all

G

I can only imagine

Verse 2

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When that day comes

D

And I find myself standing in the Son

G Am

I can only imagine

C

When all I will do

D

Is forever, forever worship You

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Can Only Imagine"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Am, C and D.

Is "I Can Only Imagine" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Can Only Imagine" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Can Only Imagine"?

It was written by Bart Millard, and released in 2001.