Essential Ukulele Chords for Beginners: A Complete Visual Guide

If you’ve picked up a ukulele recently, you already know the appeal: four strings, nylon construction that goes easy on your fingers, and a sound that just makes people smile. But knowing where to put your fingers — and which chords to learn first — can feel overwhelming.

Here are the ten chords every beginner needs, in the order that makes most sense to learn them. Before you start — make sure your instrument is in tune. Ukulele chords sound nothing like themselves when the strings are off.

How to Read a Chord Diagram

• 🔹 The four vertical lines are the four strings: G (4th), C (3rd), E (2nd), A (1st) — left to right.
• 🔹 The horizontal lines are the frets. The top line is the nut (open position).
• 🔹 Filled circles show where to press down. Numbers indicate which finger: 1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky.
• 🔹 Open circles (○) at the top mean that string is played open.

Major Chords

Major chords are bright and happy-sounding. These are the backbone of most popular songs.

• C Major: Ring finger on 3rd fret of A string. G, C, and E strings are all open. The easiest chord on ukulele — one finger. Used in “You Are My Sunshine,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
• F Major: Index finger on 1st fret of E string. Middle finger on 2nd fret of G string. C and A strings open. Pairs perfectly with C and G.
• G Major: Index on 2nd fret of C string, middle on 2nd fret of A string, ring on 3rd fret of E string. G string open. Used in “Riptide” by Vance Joy.
• D Major: Index on 2nd fret of G string, middle on 2nd fret of C string, ring on 2nd fret of E string. A string open. All three fingers land on the same fret.

Minor Chords

Minor chords have a darker, more emotional sound.

• Am (A minor): Index finger on 2nd fret of G string. C, E, and A strings all open. One finger — very easy. Used in “Creep” by Radiohead.
• Em (E minor): Index on 2nd fret of A string, middle on 3rd fret of G string, ring on 4th fret of E string. C string open. Stretchy shape but very useful.
• Dm (D minor): Index on 1st fret of E string, middle on 2nd fret of G string, ring on 2nd fret of C string. A string open. Used in “Hit the Road Jack.”

Seventh Chords

Seventh chords add colour and tension to your playing.

• G7: Index on 1st fret E string, middle on 2nd fret C string, ring on 2nd fret A string. G string open. Resolves naturally to C.
• C7: Index finger on 1st fret of A string. All other strings open. One finger. Creates forward motion toward F.
• A7: Index on 1st fret of C string. G, E, and A strings all open. One finger. Resolves nicely to D minor.

The 6 Most Useful Chord Progressions

• C–G–Am–F (Key of C): “Let Her Go,” “Someone Like You.” Most common ukulele progression.
• C–F–G–F (Key of C): Simple three-chord folk songs. Easy first song exercise.
• Am–F–C–G (Key of A minor): “Counting Stars,” “Zombie.”
• G–D–Em–C (Key of G): “Let It Be,” “With or Without You.”
• C–Am–F–G (Key of C): “Stand By Me,” “Every Breath You Take.”
• Am–Dm–E–Am (Key of A minor): Flamenco and Spanish-influenced music.

Common Questions

How long does it take to learn ukulele chords?

Most people can form a C chord cleanly on day one. Getting C, Am, F, and G down to where you can switch between them to play a real song typically takes 2–4 weeks of daily 15-minute practice.

Why do my chord shapes keep buzzing?

Buzzing usually comes from: not pressing close enough to the fret wire, a finger accidentally touching an adjacent string, or not pressing hard enough. Move your finger just behind the metal fret bar.

Make sure you’re in tune before practising — open the free Tuner Buddy →