Chord diagram

A grid of lines with dots, showing where fingers go on a fretted instrument.

Also known as: Chord box, Guitar chord chart, Grid with dots music

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Meanings

A chord diagram is a picture of the fingerboard rather than a notation of pitch. It shows where to put fingers, which is why a player can use one without being able to read music at all.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Shows where to place fingers on the fingerboard of a fretted instrument, as dots on a grid of strings and frets.
Contexts: Music
Common modern usageVerified fact
Marks strings that are not played with an x above them and open strings with an o, so the diagram states what to avoid as well as what to press.
Contexts: Music
Common modern usageVerified fact
Describes a physical hand position rather than a set of pitches, which is why it is usable without reading notation.
Contexts: Music

Visual description

A small grid of six vertical lines crossed by four or five horizontal ones, with solid dots placed in the spaces and small circles or crosses above the top edge.

A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Chord names and symbols
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a mark instructs a performer to do and for uncontested history, never for a claim that any body defines staff notation.

Last reviewed 2026-07-31

Part of

Musical expression and technique marks

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Meanings

A chord diagram is a picture of the fingerboard rather than a notation of pitch. It shows where to put fingers, which is why a player can use one without being able to read music at all.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Shows where to place fingers on the fingerboard of a fretted instrument, as dots on a grid of strings and frets.

Contexts: Music

Common modern usageVerified fact

Marks strings that are not played with an x above them and open strings with an o, so the diagram states what to avoid as well as what to press.

Contexts: Music

Common modern usageVerified fact

Describes a physical hand position rather than a set of pitches, which is why it is usable without reading notation.

Contexts: Music

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.