F Major Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set

A F major triad is F, A and C (1 3 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.

Keys

CAGED Chords — F

5C shape
8A shape
10G shape
1E shape
3D shape

Triads — F

Root position

5C shape
8A shape
10G shape
1E shape

The notes of F

F major is a major third (four frets) with a minor third (three frets) on top. Root position puts F at the bottom (F, A and C); first inversion puts A at the bottom (A, C and F); second inversion puts C at the bottom (C, F and A).

F on every string set

On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 0–13, first inversion at frets 3–5 and second inversion at frets 7–8.

F triad, root position, on the low E, A and D strings: F (root) on the low E string, fret 13; A on the A string, fret 0; C on the D string, fret 10.
Root position
F triad, first inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: A on the low E string, fret 5; C on the A string, fret 3; F (root) on the D string, fret 3.
First inversion
F triad, second inversion, on the low E, A and D strings: C on the low E string, fret 8; F (root) on the A string, fret 8; A on the D string, fret 7.
Second inversion

On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 5–8, first inversion at frets 0–10 and second inversion at frets 2–3.

F triad, root position, on the A, D and G strings: F (root) on the A string, fret 8; A on the D string, fret 7; C on the G string, fret 5.
Root position
F triad, first inversion, on the A, D and G strings: A on the A string, fret 0; C on the D string, fret 10; F (root) on the G string, fret 10.
First inversion
F triad, second inversion, on the A, D and G strings: C on the A string, fret 3; F (root) on the D string, fret 3; A on the G string, fret 2.
Second inversion

On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 1–3, first inversion at frets 5–7 and second inversion at fret 10.

F triad, root position, on the D, G and B strings: F (root) on the D string, fret 3; A on the G string, fret 2; C on the B string, fret 1.
Root position
F triad, first inversion, on the D, G and B strings: A on the D string, fret 7; C on the G string, fret 5; F (root) on the B string, fret 6.
First inversion
F triad, second inversion, on the D, G and B strings: C on the D string, fret 10; F (root) on the G string, fret 10; A on the B string, fret 10.
Second inversion

On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 8–10, first inversion at frets 1–2 and second inversion at frets 5–6.

F triad, root position, on the G, B and high e strings: F (root) on the G string, fret 10; A on the B string, fret 10; C on the high e string, fret 8.
Root position
F triad, first inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: A on the G string, fret 2; C on the B string, fret 1; F (root) on the high e string, fret 1.
First inversion
F triad, second inversion, on the G, B and high e strings: C on the G string, fret 5; F (root) on the B string, fret 6; A on the high e string, fret 5.
Second inversion

Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes

The practice pad above shows F's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:

  • Root position: C shape (fret 5), A shape (fret 8), G shape (fret 10) and E shape (fret 1).
  • First inversion: C shape (fret 5), G shape (fret 10) and E shape (fret 1).
  • Second inversion: C shape (fret 5), A shape (fret 10) and E shape (fret 2).

Where F appears

F belongs to 8 keys: IV in C major, I in F major and V in B♭ major; III in D minor, VII in G minor and VI in A minor; VI in A harmonic minor and V in B♭ harmonic minor.

Of those, C major, D minor, A minor and A harmonic minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so F turns up often in songs.

Open strings and capo options for F

One open string is part of F: the A string (the third). None of them is the root, so they colour a voicing rather than anchor it.

To get an open-sounding voicing, use a capo: the E shape with the capo at fret 1, the D shape with the capo at fret 3 and the C shape with the capo at fret 5.

The closest chords to F share two of its three notes: its relative minor and the chords a fourth and a fifth away, which are its neighbours in F major.

F triad FAQs

What notes are in a F major triad?

F, A and C. The formula is 1 3 5.

What is the first inversion of F?

A, C and F, with A in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 2, fret 1 and fret 1.

How many F triad shapes are there?

Twelve to learn: root position and two inversions on each of the four three-string sets. They repeat twelve frets higher.

Learn more

How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.