A guitar strap attaches to the two strap buttons on your guitar body and holds the instrument at a comfortable angle while you play standing up
Most acoustic and electric guitars have two small buttons — one near the neck and one at the bottom of the body — where a strap loops on. The strap itself is usually made of fabric, leather, or nylon and has a hole or slot at each end. Fitting a strap takes about two minutes and requires no tools. The goal is to get the strap length right so the guitar sits at the height where your fretting hand can reach the upper frets without strain and your picking hand has room to move freely.
If your guitar is brand new or you have never used a strap before, the strap buttons may be hard to see. Look at the side of the guitar body where the neck meets the body — one button is usually there. The other is on the opposite side of the body, lower down. They are small wooden or plastic pegs sticking out about half an inch.
Key Takeaways
- The strap loops onto two buttons on your guitar body — one near the neck and one at the bottom — and should be adjusted so the guitar hangs at a comfortable height for both hands.
- Most straps have a hole or slot at each end that slides over the strap button; some have a knot or loop that ties around the button instead.
- Adjust the strap length by sliding the fabric through the slot or moving the button position on the strap before you play, not while you are standing.
- If a strap button is missing or broken, you can replace it yourself with a new button and a small screw, or have a repair shop do it.
Looping the strap onto the buttons
Hold the guitar upright in front of you as if you were about to play it sitting down. Take one end of the strap — it does not matter which — and look at the end. Most straps have a hole or slot cut into the fabric. Slide that hole over the top strap button (the one near the neck). Push it down so the button sits inside the hole and the strap fabric is snug against the button.
Now take the other end of the strap and slide it over the bottom strap button the same way. The guitar should now be hanging from both buttons. Some straps, especially leather ones, have a knot or loop sewn at the end instead of a hole. If yours does, loop that knot around the button the same way you would loop a rope around a post — the knot should sit on top of the button and not slip off when you pull gently.
Adjusting the strap length while sitting
Sit down with the guitar on your lap as you normally would to play. Keep the strap looped on both buttons. Most straps have a long slot or series of holes running down the length of the fabric. This slot lets you move one end of the strap to make it longer or shorter. Slide the fabric through the slot at one end until the strap feels like the right length — the guitar should sit at a comfortable height on your lap, with the neck angled up slightly toward your left shoulder (if you are right-handed).
Once you have found the length you like, tighten the strap by pulling the fabric snug. Some straps have a velcro strip or a buckle to hold the adjustment in place. If yours does, press or fasten it now. If it does not, the friction of the fabric in the slot will usually hold the adjustment as long as you do not pull hard on the strap.
Standing up and checking the fit
Stand up slowly while holding the guitar. The strap should support the weight of the guitar without digging into your shoulder. The neck should angle up slightly, not hang straight down or point up too high. Your fretting hand should be able to reach the first fret and the highest fret without stretching or bunching your arm. Your picking hand should have room to move across the strings without hitting your body.
If the guitar feels too low, sit back down and slide the strap fabric to make it shorter. If it feels too high or the neck is pointing up too steeply, make the strap longer. You may need to adjust it a few times before it feels right. Everyone's body is different, so there is no single correct length — it is whatever height lets you play comfortably for an hour without your shoulders or arms getting tired.
What to do if the strap keeps slipping
If the strap slides off one of the buttons while you are playing, the hole or slot at that end is probably too loose. Check that the button is actually sitting inside the hole, not just resting against it. If the hole is stretched out or torn, you can wrap a small piece of electrical tape or athletic tape around the button to make it thicker, then slide the hole back on. This usually stops the slipping.
If the strap keeps slipping even after you tighten it, and the button itself looks intact, the button may be worn smooth or the hole may be damaged beyond taping. In that case, you have two options: buy a new strap (they cost between $15 and $50 depending on material), or replace the strap button on the guitar itself. A new button costs a few dollars and takes about five minutes to install if you have a small screwdriver.
Replacing a missing or broken strap button
If one of your strap buttons is missing or cracked, you can buy a replacement at any music store or online. They come in wood, plastic, or metal and cost between $2 and $8. You will also need a small wood screw, usually included with the button.
Look at the remaining button on your guitar to see what size and style it is. Buy a matching replacement. Unscrew the old button (or the hole where it was) using a screwdriver that fits the screw head. Screw the new button into the same hole, turning it by hand first to start the threads, then tightening it with the screwdriver. Do not over-tighten — the button should be snug but not so tight that the wood around it cracks. Once both buttons are in place, loop your strap back on and adjust the length as described above.
Strap length for different playing styles
If you play mostly sitting down and only stand up occasionally, you can keep the strap longer than someone who stands all the time. A longer strap is more comfortable when you are sitting because the guitar does not pull up on your shoulder. If you play standing up most of the time, a shorter strap keeps the guitar closer to your body and gives you better control, especially for fast playing or intricate fingering.
Some players prefer the guitar to hang quite low, almost at waist level, for a relaxed look and feel. Others like it higher, closer to the chest, for easier access to the upper frets. Neither is wrong — it is a matter of what feels natural to you and what the music you play demands. If you switch between sitting and standing a lot, you may want to adjust the strap length each time, or buy a second strap set to a different length and swap them out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a strap on a classical guitar?
Classical guitars usually have only one strap button, at the bottom of the body, because they are designed to be played sitting down with the guitar resting on your leg. You can buy a special classical guitar strap that ties around the headstock instead of using two buttons, or you can add a second button to the neck block inside the guitar — but that requires opening the guitar and is best done by a repair shop.
What if my guitar only has one strap button?
Some older or budget guitars have only one button. You can still use a strap by tying the other end around the headstock using a soft cord or the strap's built-in tie loop. Wrap it gently around the headstock between the tuning pegs so it does not slip, and tie it snugly but not so tight that it dents the wood.
How tight should the strap hole be around the button?
The hole should be snug enough that the strap does not slide off when you stand up and move around, but loose enough that you can slide it on and off by hand without forcing it. If you have to yank hard to get the strap off, the hole is too tight and may tear. If it slides off easily, wrap tape around the button to thicken it slightly.
Do I need a special strap for an electric guitar versus an acoustic?
No. Any strap that fits your guitar's buttons will work on either type. The only difference is comfort — some players prefer wider straps on heavier guitars (like Les Pauls) to distribute the weight better, and narrower straps on lighter guitars. But functionally, they all work the same way.
Can I adjust the strap while I am standing and playing?
You can, but it is awkward and risky — you might drop the guitar or lose your place. It is better to sit down, adjust the strap to the length you want, and then stand back up. Once you find the right length, you should not need to adjust it again unless you change how you like to hold the guitar.