The CAGED system is a way to map the whole guitar neck using five open chord shapes: C, A, G, E and D. Each shape can be moved up the neck to play the same chord in a new position, and the five shapes lock together in that fixed order, C then A then G then E then D, before the loop repeats 12 frets higher. Learn the five shapes and where they join, and you can find any chord, arpeggio or scale anywhere on the neck.
Each shape is just an open chord you already know, turned into a movable grip. The thing that makes it work is the root note, the note that names the chord. Every shape has its roots on fixed strings, so once you can see the roots you can see the shape.
From the open C chord. Roots on strings 5 and 2. Players rarely barre the full grip; the top three or four strings and the scale box around it are what you use. C shape in every key
From the open A chord. Roots on strings 5 and 3. The A-string barre chord most players already know. A shape in every key
From the open G chord. Roots on strings 6, 3 and 1. Awkward as a full barre, so treat it as a zone and use fragments of it. G shape in every key
From the open E chord. Roots on strings 6, 4 and 1. The standard E-string barre chord, the most used movable grip on guitar. E shape in every key
From the open D chord. Roots on strings 4 and 2. A compact triangle on the top four strings, good for melodies and high voicings. D shape in every key
Play any shape, then look at its highest root. That root is also the lowest root of the next shape in the order. Each pair of neighbours shares a root note on the same string and fret, so the shapes overlap like tiles. After D comes C again, and the whole sequence repeats 12 frets (one octave) higher.
The order never changes. What changes from key to key is which shape you meet first at the nut. In C major you start on the C shape. In G major you start on the G shape (G, E, D, C, A). In A major you start on the A shape (A, G, E, D, C).
Grips are written from the low E string (6) to the high E string (1). x means the string is not played.
| Shape | Frets | Grip | C roots at |
|---|---|---|---|
| C shape | 0 to 3 | x32010 | string 5 fret 3, string 2 fret 1 |
| A shape | 3 to 5 | x35553 | string 5 fret 3, string 3 fret 5 |
| G shape | 5 to 8 | 875558 | string 6 fret 8, string 3 fret 5, string 1 fret 8 |
| E shape | 8 to 10 | 8 10 10 9 8 8 | string 6 fret 8, string 4 fret 10, string 1 fret 8 |
| D shape | 10 to 13 | x x 10 12 13 12 | string 4 fret 10, string 2 fret 13 |
| C shape (octave) | 12 to 15 | x 15 14 12 13 12 | string 5 fret 15, string 2 fret 13 |
Now follow the shared roots, which are the joins:
See it on a live fretboard: the CAGED system in C major on the interactive map.
The number is the lowest fret of the shape (the barre fret for the A and E shapes). Click a key for its full map.
| Key | C | A | G | E | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | open | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Db | 1 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 |
| D | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | open |
| Eb | 3 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 1 |
| E | 4 | 7 | 9 | open | 2 |
| F | 5 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| F# | 6 | 9 | 11 | 2 | 4 |
| G | 7 | 10 | open | 3 | 5 |
| Ab | 8 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| A | 9 | open | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Bb | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| B | 11 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 |
Add 12 to any number to find the same shape one octave higher.
Stay in one key (C is easiest) until every step feels easy, then move the whole routine to G, then A, then any key.
The free CAGED Map has a shape trainer and a block builder for step 5 and shows every shape, arpeggio and scale box for any key.
CAGED stands for the five open chords C, A, G, E and D. Each one becomes a movable shape, and the letters spell the order the shapes come in as you move up the neck.
No. The order C, A, G, E, D never changes, but where you enter the loop depends on the key. In C major the C shape is at the open position. In G major you start with the G shape, then E, D, C and A. In A major you start with A, then G, E, D and C.
Yes. Use the minor version of each grip (Cm, Am, Gm, Em and Dm forms). The roots sit in exactly the same places as in the major shapes, so a minor key uses the same five positions as the major key with the same root.
They do different jobs. CAGED ties every scale and arpeggio to a chord shape, so you always know where the root and the chord tones are. Three-notes-per-string patterns are built for speed and even picking. Many players learn CAGED first for fretboard knowledge, then add three-notes-per-string patterns for fast runs.
With 15 minutes a day, most players can find all five shapes in one key within two to three weeks, and move them to any key within a couple of months. Learning the root notes first is what makes it fast.
No. The full G shape and C shape barres are awkward and few players use them whole. What matters is knowing where each shape's roots and chord tones sit. Use the fragments that fit your hand, often just the top three or four strings.
The CAGED Map is a free interactive fretboard that shows all five shapes in any key, with arpeggio, pentatonic and scale layers, a shape trainer and a five-stage workout. If you prefer paper, the $19 Pro Pack prints every shape in all 24 keys with a 30-day plan.
Open the CAGED Map →