Death metal · metalcore · grunge · stoner rock
D Standard Tuning (DGCFAD) — Chords & Fretboard
The fretboard is tuned a whole step down: D–G–C–F–A–D. Every shape you know still works — it just sounds two semitones lower — so the chord finder below shows what each shape is really called in D standard. Below: the shape-to-chord map, how to tune, and the gauges that keep the low D tight.
- D–G–C–F–A–D
- All standard shapes work
- Sounds a whole step lower
- ~21% less string tension
Fretboard & chord finder
Pick a tuning and key, click any fret to hear it, and see every scale tone and chord degree across the neck.
Scale & Arpeggio Neck Boxes Show / Hide ▾
Chord voicings
Every playable voicing of each chord in the current key, ranked V1–Vn up the neck. Filter by difficulty or chord type, and use ← → on a card to step through its voicings.
Progression looper & tab
Queue chords, choose a picking pattern and meter, loop it, then export tab, MIDI or a printable chord sheet.
String tension calculator
Total: 103.8 lbs • Avg: 17.3 lbs • All Strings Safe (Balanced) • Custom .010–.046
| Str | Pitch | Scale | Gauge | Tension | Status |
|---|
Guitar tuner
Tune with your microphone to any preset or custom tuning, or tap a string to hear its reference pitch.
Odd-time drum machine
Program custom odd-meter drum grooves in 4/4, 5/4, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, or 11/8, or enable Sync with Chord Looper so the kit plays behind your chord progressions.
Chord identifier & capo transposer
Tap frets on the neck below or type any 6-string fret grip (like 0-5-3-0-0-0 or X-3-2-0-1-0) to identify every possible chord name, interval formula, and capo equivalent.
Capo & Alternate-Tuning Transposer Equivalents
See how to play this exact concert chord using different capo positions or alternate tunings.
Fretboard & ear trainer
Master note locations across unfamiliar tunings (FACGCE, DAEAC#E, DADGAD, Standard), sharpen interval ear recognition, drill scale degrees, and spell complex chord formulas.
When practicing in alternate tunings such as FACGCE or DAEAC#E, the trainer dynamically recalculates fretboard intervals, open drone strings, and chord voicings so you build genuine muscle memory.
D standard tuning explained
D standard lowers all six strings by a whole step (two semitones): E–A–D–G–B–E becomes D–G–C–F–A–D. The intervals between the strings are exactly the same as standard tuning, so every chord shape, scale box and riff you already know works unchanged — the guitar simply sounds a major second lower. An open "E shape" now rings as a D chord, the "A shape" is G, and the "G shape" is F.
Heavy bands use it for weight without changing technique: Chuck Schuldiner's Death recorded almost its whole catalogue in D standard, Killswitch Engage play much of their material in it, and it is common across stoner rock, doom and grunge. Singer-songwriters use it for the same reason players use Eb standard — songs drop into a more comfortable vocal range — and the looser strings make bends and vibrato easier.
D standard vs Drop C
Drop C (C–G–C–F–A–D) is D standard with only the 6th string lowered another whole step. That gives you one-finger power chords on the bottom three strings while keeping every other string the same — which is why many metal players switch between the two by moving a single string. See the Drop C page for those shapes.
How to tune to D standard
- Lower every string two semitones: E → D, A → G, D → C, G → F, B → A, E → D.
- Tune the 6th string first, then each string against the one below it exactly as in standard tuning (5th fret = next open string, except 4th fret on the 3rd string).
- Go round a second time: lowering all six strings lets the neck relax, so the first strings you tuned drift flat.
Strings: a whole step down drops tension by about 21%, so a .010–.046 set feels like .008s and the low D gets floppy. Most players go up one or two gauges — .011–.050 or .011–.052 on a 25.5" scale, .012s on a shorter 24.75" Les Paul-style neck — and re-check intonation and neck relief. Model your exact set in the string tension calculator.
Essential DGCFAD chord shapes
⬇ Printable DGCFAD chord chart (PDF)Diagrams show strings low to high (6 → 1, left to right). × = don't play that string, ○ = open string, orange = the root note. Every shape was checked note-by-note against the tuning. Press Play to load it on the fretboard above and hear it.
The open E shape now sounds D major.
Open Em shape → D minor.
Open E7 shape → D7.
Open A shape → G major.
Open Am shape → G minor.
Open A7 shape → G7.
Open D shape → C major.
Open Dm shape → C minor.
Open G shape → F major.
Open C shape → Bb major.
Bm barre at fret 2 → A minor.
F#m barre at fret 2 → E minor.
Dmaj7 shape → Cmaj7.
Cmaj7 shape → Bbmaj7.
Open E5 power chord → D5, the riff anchor of the tuning.
Suggested starting point on a 25.5" scale: .011–.050 or .011–.052 (25.5"); .012–.054 on 24.75". Run your own gauges through the tension lab before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is D standard the same as Drop D?▾
No. Drop D lowers only the 6th string a whole step (D–A–D–G–B–E) and keeps the rest at standard pitch. D standard lowers all six strings a whole step (D–G–C–F–A–D), so every shape keeps its standard fingering but sounds two semitones lower.
What strings should I use for D standard?▾
Go one or two gauges heavier than your standard-tuning set: .011–.050 or .011–.052 is the usual choice on a 25.5" scale, .012–.054 on a 24.75" scale. Without that, a .010–.046 set loses about 21% tension and the low D buzzes. The tension calculator shows the exact per-string numbers.
Which bands play in D standard?▾
Death used it on almost every album; Killswitch Engage play much of their catalogue in it; it is also common in stoner rock, doom, sludge and grunge, and among singer-songwriters who want a lower vocal key. Many bands mix it with Drop C, which differs by one string.
Do chord shapes change in D standard?▾
No. Every fingering is the same as standard tuning; only the chord names change, two semitones lower (E shape = D, A shape = G, G shape = F, C shape = Bb, D shape = C). The fretboard above labels every note with its real D-standard name.
Related tools & tunings
Found a mistake or want a tuning covered? Leave a note on Ko-fi. Last updated 2026-10-28.