Guitar strings are numbered from thinnest to thickest, starting at 1

On a standard six-string guitar, string 1 is the thinnest string (the high E string), and string 6 is the thickest string (the low E string). The numbering runs in reverse order from how the strings sit on the headstock when you look at the guitar from the front — the string closest to your face when you hold the guitar is string 1, and the string closest to the floor is string 6.

This numbering system is universal across guitar instruction, tabs, chord diagrams, and repair guides. Once you know which string is which number, you can follow any written instruction or diagram without confusion. The system works the same way whether you play acoustic, electric, or classical guitar.

Key Takeaways

  • String 1 is the thinnest, highest-pitched string; string 6 is the thickest, lowest-pitched string on a standard guitar.
  • The numbering goes from thinnest to thickest, which is the opposite of how strings appear left-to-right when you look at the guitar head-on.
  • All guitar tabs, chord charts, and instruction materials use this same numbering system, so learning it once applies everywhere.
  • Extended guitars with seven or eight strings follow the same logic, adding string 7 and string 8 as even thicker, lower-pitched strings.

The standard tuning and what each string number sounds like

When a guitar is tuned to standard tuning, each string has a specific pitch. String 1 (the thinnest) is tuned to E, the highest note. String 2 is B, string 3 is G, string 4 is D, string 5 is A, and string 6 (the thickest) is E again, but much lower. A common way to remember this is the phrase "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" — the first letter of each word matches the string names in order from string 1 to string 6.

The reason string 1 and string 6 are both E is that they are the same note, just in different octaves. String 6 is four octaves lower than string 1. This is why string 6 sounds so deep and string 1 sounds so high, even though they are the same note name.

Why strings are numbered this way instead of left to right

The numbering system is based on pitch and thickness, not on physical position. This matters because different people hold guitars differently. A right-handed player and a left-handed player (who plays a flipped guitar) would see the strings in opposite physical order, but the string numbers stay the same. String 1 is always the thinnest, highest string, no matter which hand you use to play.

This consistency is why every guitar book, every online tab site, and every repair manual uses the same numbering. If strings were numbered by physical position, a left-handed player would have to reverse all the numbers, making instruction impossible to share.

How to identify which string is which on your guitar

The easiest way to learn your strings is to pluck each one while looking at it. Start with the thinnest string you can see — that is string 1. Then move to the next thicker string — that is string 2. Continue until you reach the thickest string, which is string 6. You can also feel the difference: string 1 will feel thin and tight under your fingers, while string 6 will feel thick and loose.

If you have a tuner, you can also use it to confirm. Pluck each string and check the note on the tuner. If it reads E and the string is very high-pitched, you have string 1. If it reads E and the string is very low-pitched, you have string 6. The other strings will show B, G, D, and A in between.

Reading tabs and chord diagrams using string numbers

Guitar tabs show six horizontal lines, one for each string. The top line represents string 1, and the bottom line represents string 6. Numbers on the lines tell you which fret to press. So if you see a "3" on the top line, you press the 3rd fret on string 1. If you see a "5" on the bottom line, you press the 5th fret on string 6.

Chord diagrams work the same way. A chord diagram shows a small rectangle with six vertical lines, one for each string. String 1 is on the right side, and string 6 is on the left side. Dots on the diagram show you where to place your fingers. Once you know which line is which string number, you can read any tab or chord chart when ready.

Extended guitars with more than six strings

Seven-string and eight-string guitars follow the same numbering logic. On a seven-string guitar, string 7 is added as an even thicker, lower-pitched string below string 6. On an eight-string guitar, string 8 is added below that. The original six strings keep their numbers 1 through 6, and the new strings are straightforward numbered 7, 8, and so on.

This means that if you learn the standard six-string numbering, you already understand how to number strings on any extended guitar. The system scales up without changing the core logic.

Common mistakes when learning string numbers

The most common mistake is thinking string 1 is on the left side of the guitar when you look at it head-on. String 1 is actually on the right side — it is the thinnest string, closest to your face. Many beginners reverse this and have to relearn it later. A quick way to lock it in: thinnest string = string 1, thickest string = string 6. That rule never changes.

Another mistake is confusing string numbers with fret numbers. A fret is a metal bar on the neck that you press the string against. String numbers identify which string you are playing; fret numbers identify where on that string you are pressing. They are completely separate. You might play string 3, fret 5 — that means you press string 3 down at the 5th fret.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is string 1 the thinnest instead of the thickest?

String 1 is the thinnest because the numbering is based on pitch and thickness, not on any physical rule. The thinnest string produces the highest note, so it is called string 1. This system is consistent across all guitars and all instruction materials worldwide.

Do bass guitars use the same numbering system?

Bass guitars typically have four strings, numbered 1 through 4 from thinnest to thickest, using the same logic as a regular guitar. Some bass players use five or six strings, which are numbered 5 and 6 accordingly. The principle is identical: thinnest to thickest.

What if I play left-handed — do the string numbers change?

No. String numbers never change based on how you hold the guitar. String 1 is always the thinnest, highest-pitched string, and string 6 is always the thickest, lowest-pitched string. This is why the numbering system works for both right-handed and left-handed players.

Can I remember the string numbers by their position on the fretboard?

Yes. When you look at the fretboard from above while holding the guitar, string 1 is on the right side (closest to your face), and string 6 is on the left side (closest to the floor). But the easiest way to remember is straightforward: thinnest = 1, thickest = 6.