The Six Strings on a Standard Guitar, From Thickest to Thinnest

A standard guitar has six strings. Starting from the thickest string closest to your face when you hold the guitar, they are: E, A, D, G, B, E. The thickest string is called the low E or sixth string. The thinnest string is called the high E or first string. Both are E notes, but they sit eight octaves apart.

The easiest way to remember the order is the phrase "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie." The first letter of each word matches the string name in order from thickest to thinnest. Some players use other memory tricks like "Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears," but any phrase that starts with E-A-D-G-B-E will work.

When you look at a guitar from the front, the strings run left to right in this order. If you're left-handed and play a left-handed guitar, the order reverses visually, but the string names stay the same. The string names don't change based on how you hold the instrument — only the physical position changes.

Key Takeaways

  • The six strings from thickest to thinnest are E, A, D, G, B, and E, and this order is the same on every standard guitar.
  • The thickest string (low E) is the sixth string, and the thinnest string (high E) is the first string.
  • A memory phrase like "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" helps you recall the order quickly when you're learning.
  • String names stay the same whether you play right-handed or left-handed — only their physical position on the guitar changes.

Why Strings Are Numbered Backward

Guitar strings are numbered in reverse of how you might expect. The thickest string is number 6, and the thinnest is number 1. This numbering system comes from the way strings are tuned and played — the thinnest string is the easiest to bend and the quickest to vibrate, so it earned the "first" position in musician's language, even though it sits on the opposite end physically.

When you see chord diagrams or tablature (tab), the strings are always shown in this same order: thick to thin, or 6 to 1. Learning this numbering now saves confusion later when you read music or follow along with lessons. A chord diagram shows six vertical lines representing the six strings, with the thickest string on the left and the thinnest on the right.

How to Identify Strings by Sound and Feel

Each string has a distinct pitch. The low E string produces the deepest, lowest sound. As you move toward the high E string, each note gets higher. You can pluck each string one at a time and listen to how the pitch rises — this trains your ear to recognize which string is which without looking.

The strings also feel different under your fingers. The thicker strings (E, A, D) require more finger strength to press down and produce a fuller, rounder tone. The thinner strings (G, B, E) are easier to press but produce a brighter, sharper sound. Beginners often find the thinner strings hurt their fingertips less at first, but all strings will feel easier as your fingers build calluses.

A straightforward exercise is to play each string slowly, one at a time, and say its name out loud. Do this daily for a week, and the order becomes automatic. You'll stop thinking about which string is which and start thinking about what you want to play.

String Gauge and What the Numbers Mean

Guitar strings come in different thicknesses, called gauge. Gauge is measured in thousandths of an inch. A typical acoustic or electric guitar uses a "light" gauge set, which might be labeled .010 to .046. The first number (.010) is the thickness of the high E string, and the last number (.046) is the thickness of the low E string.

Thicker strings (higher gauge numbers) produce a louder, fuller tone but are harder to press down and bend. Thinner strings (lower gauge numbers) are easier on your fingers but produce a quieter tone and break more easily. Most beginners start with light gauge (.010 to .046) because they're forgiving on the hands. As you build strength, you can experiment with heavier gauges if you want a richer sound.

The gauge of each individual string increases as you move from the high E to the low E. This is why the low E feels so thick compared to the high E — it's literally thicker. Knowing this helps you understand why different strings respond differently when you play them.

Standard Tuning vs. Alternative Tunings

The tuning E-A-D-G-B-E is called standard tuning. This is what almost every beginner learns and what the vast majority of songs use. When you buy a new guitar or replace old strings, you tune to this standard.

Some players use alternative tunings, where the strings are tuned to different notes. For example, drop D tuning lowers the low E string to a D, making it D-A-D-G-B-E. Open G tuning changes multiple strings to create a specific chord when all strings are played together. These tunings are used for specific songs or styles, but they don't change the string names or order — they only change what note each string produces.

As a beginner, focus on standard tuning. Once you're comfortable with that, you can explore alternative tunings if a song or style requires it. A tuner (digital or clip-on) tells you what note each string is producing, so you can tune to any system you choose.

How to Remember String Names During Practice

Write the string names on a piece of tape and stick it on the headstock of your guitar during your first few weeks of practice. This gives you a quick reference without breaking your focus. Remove it once the order feels natural — usually after two to four weeks of regular playing.

Another method is to label the frets on your fretboard with small stickers showing which string and fret you're on. This helps you build a mental map of the neck. Many players eventually memorize the entire fretboard, but that takes months or years of consistent practice.

Practice naming the strings out loud before you play. Say "low E, A, D, G, B, high E" while pointing to each string. Then play each string and say its name. This combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning, which makes the information stick faster than reading alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there two E strings on a guitar?

The low E (sixth string) and high E (first string) are the same note but eight octaves apart. This gives the guitar a wide range of sound — from very deep bass notes on the low E to bright, high notes on the high E. Having both lets you play the same note in different registers depending on what sound you want.

Do all guitars have six strings?

Most guitars have six strings, but some have seven, eight, or twelve. A seven-string guitar adds a lower B string below the low E. A twelve-string guitar has pairs of strings tuned together, creating a fuller, richer sound. For learning, stick with a standard six-string guitar — the concepts explore to other types once you master the basics.

What happens if I tune my strings wrong?

If your strings are out of tune, they'll sound off when you play chords or melodies, but they won't break or damage the guitar. Use a digital tuner to get each string to the correct pitch. Tuners are inexpensive and take the guesswork out of tuning. Tune your guitar before every practice session until tuning by ear becomes second nature.

Can I change the order of the strings?

Technically you can, but you shouldn't. The standard order E-A-D-G-B-E is designed so that the strings are evenly spaced in pitch and the guitar balances properly under tension. Changing the order would make chords and scales feel wrong, and the uneven tension could damage the neck. Learn the standard order, and you'll be able to play any song written for guitar.

How often should I replace my strings?

Strings wear out over time and lose their brightness and tone. Most players replace them every one to three months, depending on how often they play. A beginner who plays a few times a week might go three months; a daily player might change them monthly. When strings start to sound dull or feel rough, it's time for new ones. New strings are inexpensive and make a huge difference in how your guitar sounds.