Write guitar tablature by clicking frets on a virtual neck or by typing, add techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends and slides, and hear your tab played back with a plucked-string sound. Paste existing text tabs, switch tunings, then copy, print or download as TXT or PDF.
Last updated:
Click a cell or the fretboard. Keys: 0–9 fret, ← → ↑ ↓ move, h p b r / \ ~ x techniques, Backspace delete, Space empty step, | new measure.
Edited — press Apply text to load it into the editor
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How to use the Guitar Tab Maker
Pick the tuning, tempo and the note value of each column (eighth notes by default).
Enter notes: click a fret on the fretboard, or click a cell in the tab grid and type the fret number. The cursor moves to the next step automatically; tick Chord mode to stack notes.
Add techniques: after a fret, press h, p, b, r, /, \ or ~ (or use the buttons), then click or type the target fret, e.g. 5h7 or 7b9.
Press Play tab to hear it; the playing column is highlighted.
Export: copy the text tab, download .txt or download a PDF. To import, paste a tab into the text box and press Apply text to editor.
Guitar tab symbols reference
Symbol
Example
Meaning
How to play it
Number
3
Fret number
Press the string just behind fret 3 and pick it; 0 means open string
h
5h7
Hammer-on
Pick fret 5, then tap a finger onto fret 7 hard enough to sound it without picking
p
7p5
Pull-off
With both frets held, pick fret 7 and flick the finger off so fret 5 sounds
b
7b9
Bend
Pick fret 7 and push the string until it reaches the pitch of fret 9 (a whole-step bend)
r
7b9r7
Release
Let the bent string return to its original pitch while it rings
/ and \
5/7, 7\5
Slide up / down
Keep pressure on the string and glide the finger to the new fret
~
12~
Vibrato
Rock the string slightly up and down to make the pitch waver
x
x
Muted (dead) note
Rest the fretting hand lightly on the string and pick for a percussive click
|
---|---
Bar line
Separates measures
Tunings and their open-string notes
Tuning
Strings 6 → 1 (low to high)
Typical use
Standard
E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4
Almost everything
Drop D
D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4
Heavy riffs, one-finger power chords, folk in D
Half step down
Eb2 Ab2 Db3 Gb3 Bb3 Eb4
Classic rock and blues, easier bends
D standard
D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4
Metal and lower vocal keys
Drop C
C2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4
Metal, hard rock
Open G
D2 G2 D3 G3 B3 D4
Slide guitar, open-chord rock
Open D
D2 A2 D3 F#3 A3 D4
Slide, folk, fingerstyle
Open E
E2 B2 E3 G#3 B3 E4
Slide blues
DADGAD
D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4
Celtic and acoustic fingerstyle
Each fret raises the pitch by one semitone, so the note at fret n is the open string's frequency × 2n/12. Fret 12 is exactly one octave above the open string.
Tips for clear, readable tabs
Keep one measure per bar of music and use empty columns for rests, so other players can feel the rhythm.
Write the tuning and tempo at the top (the export does this for you) — a tab in Drop D played in standard tuning sounds wrong.
Use 60–80 characters per line when you share tabs in forums or messages so the lines don't wrap.
Add chord names or lyrics above the systems in the text box before exporting if you want a full song sheet.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read guitar tab?
The six lines are the six strings, drawn as you look down at the guitar: the top line is the thin high E string and the bottom line is the thick low E string. A number is the fret to press (0 = open string), and you read from left to right. Numbers stacked in the same column are played together as a chord.
What do h, p, b, r, /, \ and ~ mean?
h is a hammer-on (5h7: pick fret 5, then hammer onto fret 7 without picking), p is a pull-off, b is a bend (7b9: bend the fret-7 note up to the pitch of fret 9), r releases a bend, / and \ are slides up and down, ~ is vibrato and x is a muted, percussive note.
How do I write a chord?
Tick Chord mode, then click one fret on each string you want; all of them go into the same column. Untick it (or press the right arrow key) to move on. Alternatively, type the frets into the column using the up and down arrow keys to change strings.
Can I paste an existing tab?
Yes. Paste a standard ASCII tab (6 lines per system, high e on top, like e|---0---3---|) into the text box and press Apply text to editor. Note positions, techniques and measure bars are read, and the spacing between notes is converted into rhythm steps.
Does tablature show rhythm?
Plain tab only shows which fret to play and the order of notes, not exact note lengths. In this editor each column is one rhythmic step (quarter, eighth or 16th note), so empty columns act as rests and playback follows that grid. For exact rhythm notation use standard notation in the Sheet Music Maker.
Which tunings are supported?
Standard EADGBE, Drop D, half step down (Eb), D standard, Drop C, Open G, Open D, Open E and DADGAD. Changing the tuning updates the string labels, fretboard note names and playback pitch; the fret numbers stay the same.
Is my tab saved?
Your current tab is stored in your browser's local storage, so it is still there when you come back on the same device. Download a .txt or PDF to keep a permanent copy or share it.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.