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Mandolin Chord Finder

Find mandolin chords in standard GDAE and Open G, from open shapes to four-finger chop chords.

Chord Diagram
××××
Fret positionFrets 1 – 5

Tap the X/○ above each string to mute or open. Tap a fret cell to place or remove a finger.

Identified Chord
Tap the fretboard to identify a chord.
Exporting chord on Mandolin in G D A E
Instrument: Mandolin
Tuning: G D A E
Capo: None

How to Use the Mandolin Chord Finder

  1. Default tuning is Standard (G D A E), the same as a violin.
  2. Tap the fretboard to build a chord shape.
  3. See the chord identified in real time, with intervals and alternatives.
  4. Type a chord name to find voicings.

Tuning in Fifths

The mandolin is tuned in perfect fifths: each string is a fifth above the previous. This matches the violin and means mandolin players can easily swap with fiddlers. The tuning goes G D A E from low to high.

Fifths tuning makes scale patterns compact but chord shapes require wider stretches than on guitar. It's great for fast melodic playing.

Common Mandolin Chords

Frets are listed from the low G string to the high E string.

  • G: (0-0-2-3) or (7-5-2-3)
  • C: (0-2-3-3) or (5-2-3-3)
  • D: (2-0-0-2) or (2-4-5-5)
  • A: (2-2-4-5) or (2-2-4-0)
  • Em: (0-2-2-3)
  • Am: (2-2-3-5) or (5-7-7-5)
  • The Monroe chop shape moves anywhere: 2-4-5-5 is D, 4-6-7-7 is E and 7-9-10-10 is G. Mute the strings right after the hit, on 2 and 4.
  • Your fiddle fingerings carry over, because the strings are the same. Frets replace intonation by ear.

Courses vs. Strings

A mandolin has 8 strings arranged in 4 courses, pairs of strings tuned in unison. The pairs are played as a single string. This tool treats the mandolin as 4 independent pitches, which is how chord identification works regardless of doubling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a mandola or mandocello with this tool?

Not directly, but you can use custom tuning. Mandola is tuned a fifth below mandolin (C G D A). Mandocello is tuned an octave below mandola (C G D A, but an octave lower).

Why do mandolin chords feel harder than guitar chords?

Each string is a 5th from the next, so a four-note chord spreads across more frets than the same chord on guitar. The short scale keeps it reachable, and many players drop a string.

What's “chop” chord style?

Chop chords are short, percussive four-note mandolin chords that emphasize rhythm. They're a staple of bluegrass rhythm playing, with the mandolin acting like a snare drum on beats 2 and 4.

Is this free?

Yes. No signup, no downloads. Everything runs in your browser.

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