Explore the Fdim Chord on Guitar: Master Fretboard Shapes

F dim position 1 guitar chord diagram

F diminished (written Fdim) takes its name from its interval stack, the root, minor third and flat five, which gives the notes F, Ab and Cb. In sound, Fdim is the vii chord of F# major, even though that key spells the chord with different letters.

The F Locrian scale contains all three chord tones, which makes it a reliable scale for soloing over Fdim. The listed voicings run from fret 1 up to fret 13.

Add one more minor third on top and the triad becomes a diminished seventh chord. Turn on the note labels in the interactive fretboard at the top to read the name of every note under your fingers.

F diminished guitar chord is also written as Fdim, F°, Fm(b5) or Fmb5.

Fdim Chord Notes and Formula

Notes in the F dim chord:

F Ab Cb

Chord formula for the Diminished chord:

Formula: 1 b3 b5

F Dim Chord Interactive Fretboard

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F Dim Guitar Chord Diagrams

Position 1 Barre Movable

F dim position 1 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the B string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the low E and G strings at the same time
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the A string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the D string

Position 2 Movable

F dim position 2 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the A string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 3 of the D string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 4 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 4 of the high E string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 6 of the B string

Position 3 Movable

F dim position 3 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the A string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 9 of the D string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 10 of the G string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the B string

Position 4 Movable

F dim position 4 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the A string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 4 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 6 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 6 of the B string

Position 5 Movable

F dim position 5 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the D string
  • Mute the G string
  • Mute the B string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 11 of the A string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 13 of the low E string

Position 6 Movable

F dim position 6 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the D string
  • Mute the G string
  • Mute the B string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the low E string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the A string

Position 7 Movable

F dim position 7 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the G string
  • Mute the B string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the low E string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the A string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the D string

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Chords That Go With Fdim

One key where Fdim fits is F# major, where it works as the vii chord. These are the main chords of that key, the ones you will often hear around it:

I · F# ii · G#m iii · A#m IV · B V · C# vi · D#m

See every key in the guitar keys chart, or build a progression with these chords in the chord progression generator.

More F Chords

F Fm F7 Fm7 Fmaj7 Fsus4 Fsus2 Fadd9 F9 F6

Want to know how this chord is built? Read diminished and half-diminished chords, or browse all F guitar chords.

Play This Chord With Other Roots

C dim | D dim | E dim | F dim | G dim | A dim | B dim | C#dim | D#dim | F#dim | G#dim | A#dim | Abdim | Bbdim | Dbdim | Ebdim | Gbdim

Giancarlo Facoetti, founder of FaChords Guitar

Created by

Giancarlo Facoetti

Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher

FAQ

What notes does Fdim contain?

Fdim is spelled F, Ab and Cb. Those are the root, minor third and flat fifth. Cb sounds as B, six semitones from F.

Why is the fifth of Fdim written Cb and not B?

The fifth of F falls on the letter C, so lowering it gives Cb. The pitch sounds the same as B, but keeping the letter C preserves the chord's third and fifth order.

Is the F diminished chord a vii chord anywhere?

Fdim has the same pitches as the vii chord of F# major, which spells it with different letters. It is the diminished triad on that key's seventh degree.

What scale works over Fdim?

The F Locrian scale, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, contains all three chord tones. Use it as a pool of notes over Fdim.

How many ways are there to play Fdim?

There are 7 voicings, 1 of them with a barre and none with open strings. The lowest sits at fret 1 and the highest at fret 13.