Standard guitars have six strings
Most guitars you see have six strings. This is the setup you'll find on acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and classical guitars. The strings are tuned from thickest to thinnest: E, A, D, G, B, and E. This tuning has been standard for centuries and works for nearly every style of music — rock, folk, country, jazz, blues, and classical.
The six-string layout is standard because it balances playability with range. Six strings give you enough notes to play full chords and melodies across multiple octaves without making the neck so wide that your hand can't reach across it comfortably. Beginners learn on six-string guitars, and most songs you hear are written for this configuration.
Key Takeaways
- Standard guitars have six strings tuned E-A-D-G-B-E from thickest to thinnest.
- Seven-string and eight-string guitars add lower notes and are used mainly in metal, progressive rock, and extended-range styles.
- Twelve-string guitars double most strings to create a fuller, shimmering sound and are common in folk and rock music.
- Classical, acoustic, and electric guitars all come in six-string versions, though extended-string models exist across all types.
Seven-string and eight-string guitars add lower notes
Some guitars have seven or eight strings. These instruments add one or two lower strings below the standard low E, giving you deeper bass notes and a wider range. A seven-string guitar typically adds a low B string. An eight-string guitar adds both a low B and a low F#. These extra strings let you play heavier, darker riffs and fuller chords.
Seven-string and eight-string guitars are most common in metal, progressive rock, and jazz fusion. Bands like Korn and Meshuggah popularized the seven-string electric guitar in the 1990s. These instruments require a wider neck and heavier-gauge strings to stay in tune, so they're not beginner instruments. If you're just starting, a standard six-string is the right choice.
Twelve-string guitars create a fuller sound
A twelve-string guitar has twelve strings arranged in six pairs. Each pair is tuned to the same note or an octave apart, so when you play one string, two strings sound together. This creates a richer, fuller tone with a shimmering quality. Twelve-string guitars are popular in folk, rock, and pop music — you hear them on many classic recordings from the 1960s and 1970s.
The trade-off is that twelve-string guitars are harder to play. The neck is wider, the strings are closer together, and your fingers have to press down harder because there are more strings under tension. They're also more expensive than six-string guitars and require more frequent tuning. Most players learn on a six-string first, then move to a twelve-string if they want that sound.
Classical guitars always have six strings
Classical guitars — the ones with a wide body and nylon strings — are always six-string instruments. The strings are thicker and more widely spaced than on steel-string acoustics, which makes them easier on your fingers when you're learning. Classical guitar technique and repertoire are built around the six-string setup, and that hasn't changed in over a century.
If you're taking classical guitar lessons, you're learning on a six-string. The same is true for flamenco guitars, which are also six-string instruments with a slightly different body shape and brighter sound.
Bass guitars have four strings (or more)
Bass guitars are a different instrument from guitars, but they're worth mentioning here. A standard bass has four strings tuned an octave lower than a guitar's four lowest strings: E, A, D, and G. Five-string and six-string basses exist and add lower notes, similar to how extended-range guitars work. Bass players use thicker strings and a longer neck to produce those deep tones.
If someone asks you how many strings a bass has, the answer is four — unless they specify a five-string or six-string model.
Other string counts are rare but exist
Beyond six, seven, eight, and twelve strings, you'll find oddities: nine-string guitars, ten-string guitars, and even more. These are specialty instruments used by experimental musicians or in specific genres. A ten-string classical guitar, for example, adds four extra strings below the standard six for extended bass range. These instruments are expensive, require custom technique, and aren't something you'd encounter unless you were specifically looking for that sound.
For the vast majority of players and songs, six strings is the answer. Extended-string guitars exist because some musicians want lower notes or a fuller sound, but they're not the default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do guitars have six strings and not more?
Six strings balance range with playability. Fewer strings limit the notes you can play; more strings make the neck too wide for most hands to play comfortably. Six strings have been standard since the 1700s because they work for nearly every style of music.
Can I add more strings to my guitar?
No. Adding strings requires a wider neck, different tuning machines, a reinforced body, and a different bridge. You'd need a guitar built for that number of strings from the factory. Trying to add strings to a standard six-string guitar will damage it.
Do all acoustic guitars have six strings?
Most do, but twelve-string acoustic guitars are also common. Some specialty acoustic models have seven or eight strings. If you're buying an acoustic guitar, check the listing or ask the seller — the default is six strings.
Is a seven-string guitar harder to learn than a six-string?
Yes. The wider neck and extra string take time to adjust to, and most learning materials are written for six-string guitars. Start on a six-string, then switch to a seven-string if you want that lower range later.
What's the difference between a twelve-string guitar and two six-string guitars?
A twelve-string guitar has pairs of strings tuned together, creating one unified shimmering sound. Two separate six-string guitars would sound like two distinct instruments. The twelve-string is designed to blend the pairs into a single richer tone.