D5 Guitar Chord (D Power Chord)

Q: What notes are in the D5 chord?

D5 has 2 notes: D and A . Its formula is 1 – 5: D is the root, A a perfect 5th above it.

Q: How do you play D5 on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is xx023x (open position). Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string. Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string. Let the D (4th) string ring open (marked O). Don't play the low E (6th), A (5th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X). Strum from the D (4th) string down (3 strings).

The D5 guitar chord (D power chord) has 2 notes: D and A. Below you'll find 4 shapes with diagrams, how to play it step by step, the keys it belongs to and common progressions that use it.

xx023x · open position

Notes: D – A
Formula: 1 – 5
Type: power chord
Difficulty: easy

Transpose a song

All 4 ways to play D5 on guitar

xx023x open position
x577xx at the 5th fret
10-12-12-x-x-x at the 10th fret
x-x-12-14-15-x at the 12th fret

Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).

How to play D5 on guitar

Main shape: xx023x (open position).

Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
Let the D (4th) string ring open (marked O).
Don't play the low E (6th), A (5th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
Strum from the D (4th) string down (3 strings).

D5 notes and intervals

Note	Formula	Interval from the root
D	1	root
A	5	perfect 5th

D5 on piano and ukulele

D5 on piano D – A
D5 on ukulele x250

Which keys use D5?

D5 is not one of the seven basic triads or 7th chords of a key, but all its notes (D and A) are in the scales of C major, A minor, F major, G major, D minor and E minor, so it fits songs in those keys.

Transpose D5

Move the chord up or down by semitones to see its name and notes in another key.

D5 D A original

Power chord chords on every root: A5 B♭5B5C5C♯5D5E♭5 E5 F5 F♯5 G5 A♭5

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D5 chord?

D5 has 2 notes: D and A. Its formula is 1 – 5: D is the root, A a perfect 5th above it.

What key is D5 in?

D5 is not one of the seven basic triads or 7th chords of a key, but all its notes are in the scales of C major, A minor, F major, G major and D minor, so it fits songs in those keys.

How do you play D5 on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is xx023x (open position).

Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
Let the D (4th) string ring open (marked O).
Don't play the low E (6th), A (5th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
Strum from the D (4th) string down (3 strings).

What is a power chord?

A power chord has only a root and a perfect 5th (1–5), often with the root doubled an octave up. It has no 3rd, so it is neither major nor minor. It is written with a 5: E5, A5.

How many ways can you play D5 on guitar?

This page shows 4 shapes: xx023x (open position), x577xx (at the 5th fret), 10-12-12-x-x-x (at the 10th fret) and x-x-12-14-15-x (at the 12th fret). All of them contain the chord's essential notes.

Is D5 hard to play on guitar?

No: the easiest shape (xx023x) has no barre and uses 2 fingers, so it is one of the easier chords to learn. (Difficulty here is a rough guide based on barres, stretches and the number of fingers.)

More chords

Last updated: October 12, 2026