Reading Chord Boxes

Recently, I've been posting a series of chord boxes on my Instagram feed in a series I'm calling 'Chord of the Day'.  Go check it out if you haven't done so already.

I've had questions from a few people asking how exactly chord boxes are read, so here is an explanation.

1. The title indicates the name of the chord.
2. The strings are ordered (from left to right): 654321 or EADGBe.
3. A thick line on the top of the chord box represents the guitar nut and indicates that the chord is played in the open position (frets 1-4).
4. Black circles on the diagram tell you which frets and strings to play.
5. Numbers inside the black circles indicate fretting hand fingerings.
6. An 'X' on the top line indicates that a string should not be played.
7. An 'O' on the top line indicates an open string that is played.
8. Numbers may appear on the left of the chord box to indicate fret numbers to help identify where on the fretboard the chord is played.
9. The notes within the chord may appear below the chord box.

I have a free PDF handout to download here.