Shape of You Chords: Ed Sheeran

"Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran was the most-streamed song of 2017 and uses four chords on a single repeating loop for the whole song. C#m-F#m-A-B (or capo 4 with Am-Dm-F-G shapes). The chord changes are simple. The challenge is the percussive strum that mimics Sheeran's loop pedal patterns.

The Chords

Without capo, the chords are barre-heavy:

• C#m
• F#m
• A major
• B major

With capo on the 4th fret, the chords become open shapes:

• Am
• Dm
• F major
• G major

The capo-4 version is much easier for beginners. Most acoustic covers use this approach.

The Strumming Pattern

Sheeran uses a percussive guitar style that incorporates body slaps between chord strums. The pattern simulates a kick drum and a snare on a single guitar.

Simplified for acoustic strumming:

• Beat 1: down strum + slap (hit the strings and the body)
• Beat 2: up strum (muted)
• Beat 3: down strum
• Beat 4: up strum + slap

For an even simpler version, just use down-down-up-up-down-up. The song still works, just with less rhythmic complexity.

The Loop

The four chords (Am-Dm-F-G with capo, or C#m-F#m-A-B without) cycle for the entire song. Verse, pre-chorus, chorus. The vocal melody is what changes; the guitar stays on the loop.

Common Mistakes

• Trying the percussive slap before mastering the chords. Get the chord changes clean first. Add the slap later.
• Skipping the capo. The barre-chord version is unnecessarily hard for the song's vibe. Use the capo.
• Tempo too slow. About 95 BPM. The song has a steady pulse.

FAQ: Shape of You Questions

What key is "Shape of You" in?

C# minor (without capo) or A minor (with capo on the 4th fret). The capo version is easier.

Do I need a percussive slap?

The slap is what makes Sheeran's version distinctive. Without it, the song still works but sounds more conventional. Try the basic strum first; add the slap as a stretch goal.

Is "Shape of You" easy for beginners?

With capo, yes. The four chords are basic open shapes and the strum is approachable. The percussive slap is intermediate.

What's the chord progression?

i-iv-VI-VII in C# minor (or A minor with capo). The same four chords loop throughout.

How do I do the body slap?

Hit the side of the guitar's body with the heel of your strumming hand on beats 1 and 4. The slap should land at the same time as the strum, not before or after.