Guitar strings are numbered 1 through 6, starting with the thinnest string at the top

The six strings on a standard guitar are numbered from thinnest to thickest. String 1 is the thin high string closest to your face when you hold the guitar. String 6 is the thick low string farthest from your face. This numbering matters because guitar tabs, chord diagrams, and instruction videos all refer to strings by their number, not by their sound or color.

The strings also have letter names that describe the musical note they produce when played open (without pressing down on any fret). From thinnest to thickest, the open strings are E, B, G, D, A, and E. The phrase "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" helps many players remember this order. The first E and the last E are different pitches — the first is high E, the last is low E.

Key Takeaways

  • String 1 is the thinnest string and produces a high E note when played open; string 6 is the thickest and produces a low E note.
  • The six strings in order are E, B, G, D, A, E — a pattern you can memorize with the phrase "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie."
  • Guitar tabs and chord diagrams always show strings numbered 1 through 6 from top to bottom, matching how they sit on the guitar.
  • The two E strings sound completely different because they are two octaves apart, even though they have the same letter name.

String 1: High E (the thinnest string)

String 1 is the thinnest string on the guitar and sits closest to your face when you hold the instrument in playing position. When you pluck it without pressing any frets, it produces the note E — specifically, a high E. This string is the easiest to break because it has the least material and the most tension pulling on it.

String 1 is where most beginners start learning because it is the easiest to hear and the easiest to press down. Many beginner exercises focus on this string alone before moving to others. In tab notation and chord diagrams, string 1 always appears at the top of the diagram.

Strings 2, 3, 4, and 5: B, G, D, and A

The four middle strings are B (string 2), G (string 3), D (string 4), and A (string 5). These strings get progressively thicker as you move from string 2 to string 5, and they produce lower pitches. String 2 (B) is still relatively thin and sits between the high E and the middle strings. String 3 (G) is the true middle string. Strings 4 and 5 (D and A) are noticeably thicker and require more finger strength to press down cleanly.

Many chord shapes use all four of these middle strings together. For example, a basic G major chord involves playing strings 2, 3, 4, and 5 all at once. Learning which string is which helps you understand why certain fingers go on certain strings when you learn a new chord.

String 6: Low E (the thickest string)

String 6 is the thickest string on the guitar and produces the lowest note — a low E. It sits farthest from your face when you hold the guitar. Even though it has the same letter name as string 1, it sounds much deeper because it vibrates more slowly. The two E strings are exactly two octaves apart in pitch.

String 6 is the hardest to press down because it has the most tension and the thickest gauge (diameter). Many beginners avoid this string at first, but it is essential for bass notes and the root notes of many chords. In tab notation, string 6 always appears at the bottom of the diagram.

How to remember the string order

The standard tuning order — E, B, G, D, A, E — can feel random at first. The most popular memory phrase is "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie." Each word's first letter matches the string name in order: E-A-D-G-B-E. Some players prefer other phrases like "Eat A Dead Grasshopper Before Eating" or make up their own.

Another way to lock this in is to say the string names out loud while playing each one, starting from string 1. Do this every time you pick up the guitar for the first week. Your brain will connect the sound, the physical string, and the name together much faster than trying to memorize it without the guitar in your hands.

Why strings are numbered from thin to thick

Numbering from thinnest to thickest is a universal standard in guitar instruction, tabs, and chord diagrams. This makes it straightforward for anyone reading a diagram to know exactly which string is being described. If you see "play string 1," you when ready know it is the high E, no matter what guitar you are holding.

This numbering system also matches how guitar tabs are drawn on the page. A tab shows six horizontal lines stacked on top of each other, with string 1 at the top and string 6 at the bottom. Numbers on those lines tell you which fret to press. Because the visual layout matches the physical guitar, tabs are much easier to read once you know which line is which string.

Common mistakes when learning string names

The biggest mistake beginners make is confusing the string numbers with the fret numbers. A string number (1 through 6) describes which physical string you are playing. A fret number (0, 1, 2, 3, and so on) describes where on that string you press your finger. A tab might say "play fret 3 on string 2," which means press your finger on the third metal bar down from the top of the neck, on the B string.

Another common mix-up is forgetting that the two E strings are different. String 1 (high E) and string 6 (low E) both produce an E note, but they sound nothing alike. When you are reading a chord diagram or tab, pay close attention to whether you are playing string 1 or string 6, because using the wrong one will sound wrong even if your finger position is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some guitars have different string names?

Standard tuning (E-B-G-D-A-E) is the most common, but some players tune their guitars differently for certain songs or styles. However, the string numbers always stay the same — string 1 is always the thinnest, string 6 is always the thickest. If you learn a song that uses a different tuning, the tab will tell you what each string should be tuned to before you start playing.

Do acoustic and electric guitars have the same string names?

Yes. Both acoustic and electric guitars use the same standard tuning and the same string numbering system. The only difference is the thickness and material of the strings — acoustic strings are usually thicker and have a wound core, while electric strings are thinner. But string 1 is still high E and string 6 is still low E on both types.

What if I can't remember which string is which?

Write the string names on a piece of tape and stick it on the headstock of your guitar (the part at the top where the tuning pegs are). You can also write them on your hand or keep a note card nearby while you practice. After a few weeks of playing, the names will stick without any reminders.

Does the string order matter for tuning?

Yes. When you tune your guitar, you tune each string to its correct pitch in order: string 1 to high E, string 2 to B, string 3 to G, and so on. If you tune string 1 to the pitch of string 6, your guitar will sound completely wrong. Knowing which string is which is the first step to tuning correctly.