Fretboard Interval Complete Diagrams

Learn Intervals From Any Root Position

This tutorial contains only a few words and many diagrams, that will show you intervals of all kinds across all the fretboard.

Intervals are the building blocks of chords; if you want to know how to construct chords, you must learn your intervals and their inversion first.

We've already talked about intervals and chords in our complete guitar music theory complete tutorial (be sure to check the previous link if you've missed it); on this page, we're going to show you all the possible combinations of interval types and root positions.

Interval Types

As you probably already know, an interval is basically a distance between two pitches.

Depending on the length of that distance, the interval assumes a different name.

Is not uncommon to have different names for the same distance (like the Perfect Fifth/Augmented Fourth one).

This are the so-called enharmonics

Pro tip: if you want to memorize fretboard intervals in a fun way, try our Fretboard Intervals Game.

Interval	Distance (Semitones)	Symbol
Root	0	1
Minor Second	1	b2
Major Second	2	2
Minor Third	3	b3
Major Third	4	3
Perfect Fourth	5	4
Diminished Fifth (Augmented Fourth)	6	b5
Perfect Fifth	7	5
Minor Sixth	8	b6
Major Sixth	9	6
Minor Seventh	10	b7
Major Seventh	11	7
Octave	12	8

Octave - The Most Helpful Interval

The most precious and useful interval that you can learn is the octave interval.

You can use it to quickly find the same note on another string, and thus move smoothly on the fretboard.

Take some time to study the diagram below: notice how octaves create the geometric shapes denoted as A, B and C, and how these shapes repeat themselves (in the same sequence A, B and C) across all the neck.

You should master octave intervals perfectly, they will be immensely useful.

You can find more information on the guitar fretboard layout here.

Full Fretboard Maps | Compact Visualization

Below are the interval maps showing one string at a time.

If you want a more compact visualization, with all the intervals in a given chord, please check my complete ebook Chords Domination

Compact visualization of the fretboard intervals in a Dominant 7 chord (from Chords Domination ebook)

Fretboard Intervals with Root on 6th String

Minor Second intervals with root on 6th string

Major Second intervals with root on 6th string

Minor Third intervals with root on 6th string

Major Third intervals with root on 6th string

Perfect Fourth intervals with root on 6th string

Diminished Fifth intervals with root on 6th string

Perfect Fifth intervals with root on 6th string

Minor Sixth intervals with root on 6th string

Major Sixth intervals with root on 6th string

Minor Seventh intervals with root on 6th string

Major Seventh intervals with root on 6th string

Fretboard Intervals with Root on 5th String

Minor Second intervals with root on 5th string

Major Second intervals with root on 5th string

Minor Third intervals with root on 5th string

Major Third intervals with root on 5th string

Perfect Fourth intervals with root on 5th string

Diminished Fifth intervals with root on 5th string

Perfect Fifth intervals with root on 5th string

Minor Sixth intervals with root on 5th string

Major Sixth intervals with root on 5th string

Minor Seventh intervals with root on 5th string

Major Seventh intervals with root on 5th string

Fretboard Intervals with Root on 4th String

Minor Second intervals with root on 4th string

Major Second intervals with root on 4th string

Minor Third intervals with root on 4th string

Major Third intervals with root on 4th string

Perfect Fourth intervals with root on 4th string

Diminished Fifth intervals with root on 4th string

Perfect Fifth intervals with root on 4th string

Minor Sixth intervals with root on 4th string

Major Sixth intervals with root on 4th string

Minor Seventh intervals with root on 4th string

Major Seventh intervals with root on 4th string

Fretboard Intervals with Root on 3rd String

Minor Second intervals with root on 3rd string

Major Second intervals with root on 3rd string

Minor Third intervals with root on 3rd string

Major Third intervals with root on 3rd string

Perfect Fourth intervals with root on 3rd string

Diminished Fifth intervals with root on 3rd string

Perfect Fifth intervals with root on 3rd string

Minor Sixth intervals with root on 3rd string

Major Sixth intervals with root on 3rd string

Minor Seventh intervals with root on 3rd string

Major Seventh intervals with root on 3rd string

Fretboard Intervals with Root on 2nd String

Minor Second intervals with root on 2nd string

Major Second intervals with root on 2nd string

Minor Third intervals with root on 2nd string

Major Third intervals with root on 2nd string

Perfect Fourth intervals with root on 2nd string

Diminished Fifth intervals with root on 2nd string

Perfect Fifth intervals with root on 2nd string

Minor Sixth intervals with root on 2nd string

Major Sixth intervals with root on 2nd string

Minor Seventh intervals with root on 2nd string

Major Seventh intervals with root on 2nd string

Fretboard Intervals with Root on 1st String

Minor Second intervals with root on 1st string

Major Second intervals with root on 1st string

Minor Third intervals with root on 1st string

Major Third intervals with root on 1st string

Perfect Fourth intervals with root on 1st string

Diminished Fifth intervals with root on 1st string

Perfect Fifth intervals with root on 1st string

Minor Sixth intervals with root on 1st string

Major Sixth intervals with root on 1st string

Minor Seventh intervals with root on 1st string

Major Seventh intervals with root on 1st string

Conclusions

I hope these diagrams help you improve your fretboard knowledge and music theory skills.

Don't forget to request your free access to the download page; you'll get many chords, scales and fretboard pdf.

FAQ

What are musical intervals on the guitar and why are they important for learning chords?

Musical intervals define the distance between any two pitches on the guitar fretboard. They are the fundamental building blocks of music theory, and understanding them is essential because chords are constructed by combining specific intervals from a root note. Learning your intervals helps you grasp chord construction and analyze chord voicings across the neck.

What does it mean for intervals to have 'different names for the same distance,' and what are enharmonic intervals?

This refers to enharmonic intervals, where the same physical distance in semitones (half-steps) on the fretboard can be named differently based on musical context. For example, a Diminished Fifth and an Augmented Fourth both span 6 semitones. Their specific name depends on the key, scale, or chord from which they are derived, even though they sound the same on the guitar.

Why is the octave interval highlighted as the 'most helpful' interval to learn on guitar?

The octave interval is crucial because it allows you to quickly locate the same note at different positions across the guitar fretboard. By mastering the geometric shapes that octaves form (like the A, B, and C shapes shown in the diagrams), you can smoothly navigate the neck, find corresponding notes, and understand how to move chords and melodies across strings, greatly enhancing your fretboard fluidity.

How should I use the extensive fretboard interval diagrams provided in this tutorial?

The diagrams serve as a visual guide to map out all types of intervals from any given root position on the guitar. To use them effectively, select a root note on a specific string (e.g., the 6th string), then consult the corresponding diagrams to see where each interval (like a Major Third or Perfect Fifth) is located relative to that root across the entire fretboard. Consistent practice with these visual patterns will help you internalize interval relationships.

What is the difference between the 'full fretboard maps' and the 'compact visualizations' mentioned?

The 'full fretboard maps' (the bulk of the tutorial's diagrams) show all possible locations for a *single specific interval* (e.g., Minor Second) relative to a chosen root note on a particular string, covering the entire fretboard. In contrast, a 'compact visualization' (like the C7 arpeggio example shown) displays *multiple intervals simultaneously* within a specific chord or scale shape, offering a condensed view of how several intervals relate to a root note within a musical structure.