The D major chord contains D – F♯ – A (Root – Major 3rd – Perfect 5th). Standard open position: xx0232. It appears in D major (I), G major (V), A major (IV).
Character & Sound
Bright and ringing — the open D chord has a characteristic jangly quality from its high voicing on the top four strings. Particularly vibrant on acoustic guitar.
Rock, country, folk. D is one of the 'cowboy chords' alongside G, C, A, and E. The I–V–vi–IV in D (D–A–Bm–G) is among the most widely used progressions in pop and rock.
The parallel chord is D minor — same root, minor 3rd instead of major. Compare them side by side in the Chord Finder.
How to Play the D Major Guitar Chord
Only use the top four strings. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, ring on the 3rd fret of the B string, and middle on the 2nd fret of the high E string. Strum from the D string down — avoid the A and low E strings.
Songs That Use D
- "Here Comes the Sun" – The Beatles
- "Brown Eyed Girl" – Van Morrison
- "Sweet Home Alabama" – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- "Free Fallin'" – Tom Petty
Explore Chord Voicings Interactively
The MusoKit Chord Finder shows every voicing on guitar, piano, and ukulele — with audio playback.
Open Chord Finder →Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D major chord?
The D major chord contains D – F♯ – A (root, major 3rd, perfect 5th).
How do you play D major on guitar?
xx0232 — index on 2nd fret G, ring on 3rd fret B, middle on 2nd fret high E. Strum from the D string only.
What keys use the D major chord?
D major appears in D major (I), G major (V), and A major (IV).
Why is D major strummed from the D string?
The low E and A strings are not part of the D major chord voicing in open position — strumming them adds bass notes that clash with the chord.