C5 Guitar Chord

C power chord (C5) is made of the notes C G. Here are 2 ways to play it on guitar, starting with the easiest.

How to play C5 on guitar

  1. Shape 1

    From fret 3

    3fr 1 3 4 C G C

    x355xx

  2. Shape 2

    From fret 8

    8fr 1 3 4 C G C

    8-10-10-x-x-x

Notes in C5

Formula 1 5
DegreeNote
1C
5G

Shape 1 step by step

  1. Put your index finger on string 5 at fret 3.
  2. Put your ring finger on string 4 at fret 5.
  3. Put your little finger on string 3 at fret 5.
  4. Don’t play strings 6, 2, 1.
  5. Strum from string 5 to string 3.

Shape 2 step by step

  1. Put your index finger on string 6 at fret 8.
  2. Put your ring finger on string 5 at fret 10.
  3. Put your little finger on string 4 at fret 10.
  4. Don’t play strings 3, 2, 1.
  5. Strum from string 6 to string 4.

Tune your guitar first

A chord only sounds right when your instrument is in tune. Check your strings with the free online tuner before you practise. Open the guitar tuner

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C5 chord?

C power chord has the notes C G. Its formula is 1 5. The numbers are steps of the major scale, counted from the root.

What is the easiest way to play C5 on guitar?

Start with shape 1 (from fret 3), written as x355xx from string 6 to string 1. Here x means you don’t play that string and 0 means it rings open.

Power chord chords in every key