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How to Play the Basic Ukulele Chords

Learning just a handful of basic chords is enough to start strumming along to plenty of songs. Here are the chords most beginners learn first.

C chord

Press the third fret of the thinnest string (the A string) with your ring finger, and leave the other three strings open. It's widely considered the first chord beginners should learn.

G chord

A common fingering is the second fret of the second string with your middle finger, the second fret of the third string with your index finger, and the third fret of the fourth string with your ring finger. It's usually the second chord practiced after C.

Am chord

Press the second fret of the fourth string (the G string) with your middle finger, and that's the whole chord. Using just one finger makes it one of the easiest chords to learn.

F chord

Press the first fret of the first string with your index finger and the second fret of the fourth string with your middle finger. The C–Am–F–G progression is one of the most common patterns found in popular music.

Em chord

A typical fingering is the second fret of the second string with your middle finger, the third fret of the third string with your ring finger, and the fourth fret of the first string with your pinky. It's one of the most frequently used minor chords.

Standard tuning: G-C-E-A

Standard ukulele tuning, from the fourth string to the first, is G-C-E-A. Getting into the habit of checking your tuning with a tuner app before every practice session makes a noticeable difference.

Basic strumming patterns

Start with simple downstrokes only, then move on to alternating down-and-up strokes. Even with the same chords, varying the strumming pattern gives you a much wider range of rhythms to play with.

Why clumsy fingers aren't a problem at first

With only four strings and narrower string spacing than a guitar, the ukulele lets even complete beginners produce a full chord fairly quickly. Starting with a one-finger chord like Am is a low-pressure way to get your first sound out.

Smoother chord changes

Rather than lifting all your fingers off between chords and repositioning from scratch, keep any finger that stays in the same spot for the next chord in place and move only the ones that need to change. Practicing the C–Am–F–G progression slowly with a metronome is also a reliable way to build up switching speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are guitar chords and ukulele chords the same?

The names can be the same, but the string setup and tuning are different, so the finger positions don't transfer directly. Ukulele is tuned G-C-E-A across its four strings, so a guitar chord chart can't be applied as-is.

Is it normal for my fingertips to keep hurting?

Yes, some soreness or light callusing on your fretting fingertips is a normal part of the early learning process. The skin typically toughens up after a few days of regular practice, and the discomfort fades.