E5 Guitar Chord (E Power Chord)

Q: What notes are in the E5 chord?

E5 has 2 notes: E and B . Its formula is 1 – 5: E is the root, B a perfect 5th above it.

Q: How do you play E5 on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is 022xxx (open position). Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string. Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string. Let the low E (6th) string ring open (marked O). Don't play the G (3rd), B (2nd) or high E (1st) strings (marked X). Strum from the low E (6th) string down (3 strings).

The E5 guitar chord (E power chord) has 2 notes: E and B. 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.

022xxx · open position

Notes: E – B
Formula: 1 – 5
Type: power chord
Difficulty: easy

Transpose a song

All 4 ways to play E5 on guitar

022xxx open position
xx245x at the 2nd fret
x799xx at the 7th fret
12-14-14-x-x-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 E5 on guitar

Main shape: 022xxx (open position).

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

E5 notes and intervals

Note	Formula	Interval from the root
E	1	root
B	5	perfect 5th

E5 on piano and ukulele

E5 on piano E – B
E5 on ukulele 4402

Which keys use E5?

E5 is not one of the seven basic triads or 7th chords of a key, but all its notes (E and B) are in the scales of C major, A minor, G major, E minor, D major and B minor, so it fits songs in those keys.

Transpose E5

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

E5 E B original

Power chord chords on every root: B5C5C♯5 D5 E♭5E5 F5 F♯5 G5 A♭5 A5 B♭5

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E5 chord?

E5 has 2 notes: E and B. Its formula is 1 – 5: E is the root, B a perfect 5th above it.

What key is E5 in?

E5 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, G major, E minor and D major, so it fits songs in those keys.

How do you play E5 on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is 022xxx (open position).

Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string.
Let the low E (6th) string ring open (marked O).
Don't play the G (3rd), B (2nd) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
Strum from the low E (6th) 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 E5 on guitar?

This page shows 4 shapes: 022xxx (open position), xx245x (at the 2nd fret), x799xx (at the 7th fret) and 12-14-14-x-x-x (at the 12th fret). All of them contain the chord's essential notes.

Is E5 hard to play on guitar?

No: the easiest shape (022xxx) 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