C power chord (C5) chord on guitar

Power chord (root plus perfect fifth, no third) on C: the notes of the C5 chord are C – G.

Dots show:

Position 1easy

A shape, fret 3easy

Position 5medium

E shape, fret 8easy

D shape, fret 10medium

Position 13easy

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

Chord finder Transposer Tuner

What the C5 chord sounds like

A power chord has only the root and the fifth, no third, so it is neither major nor minor. With a distorted guitar it sounds the cleanest – the backbone of rock and metal.

Notes of the C5 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C	root
5	G	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Position 1

String 1 (e): fret 3, ring finger (G4)
String 2 (B): fret 1, index finger (C4)
String 3 (G): not played
String 4 (D): not played
String 5 (A): not played
String 6 (E): not played

A shape, fret 3

String 1 (e): not played
String 2 (B): not played
String 3 (G): fret 5, little finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, ring finger (G3)
String 5 (A): fret 3, index finger (C3)
String 6 (E): not played

Position 5

String 1 (e): fret 8, little finger (C5)
String 2 (B): fret 8, little finger (G4)
String 3 (G): fret 5, index finger (C4)
String 4 (D): not played
String 5 (A): not played
String 6 (E): not played

The “C, A, G, E and D shapes” are the CAGED system: you slide the shape of the open C, A, G, E or D chord up the neck and your index finger (a barre) takes over the job of the nut. That way the same chord can be played in five places, anywhere on the fretboard.

Tuning: E A D G B E (low to high). String 6 is the thickest, the low E. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Playing C5 with a capo

A capo clamps all the strings at one fret, so a familiar open shape sounds higher. You can also get a C5 chord with these open shapes:

Capo: fret 3
shape: A5

Rework a whole song for a capo: chord transposer →

Which keys is it in?

The C5 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C major: I5 (tonic)
C minor: I5 (tonic)
F major: V5 (dominant)
G major: IV5 (subdominant)
F minor: V5 (dominant)
G minor: IV5 (subdominant)
A♭ major: III5
E♭ major: VI5
B♭ major: II5
D minor: VII5
A minor: III5
E minor: VI5

Similar chords and substitutes

If C5 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C – a major chord can replace the power chord
Cm – or a minor chord, depending on the melody

Richer versions

C – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Cm – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Csus2 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Csus4 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C5 chord?

C, G. The root is C; the intervals of the other notes from the root: perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play C5 on guitar?

The easiest shape above is “Position 1”, rated easy. We show 6 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck. With a capo you can also play it as a A5 shape at fret 3.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the C5 chord written?

The chord symbol is C5, and its full name is C power chord.