Banjo F chord (Open D)F major on the 5-string banjo: 3 3 3 3, and 3 more shapes

Frets, string 4 to string 1: 3 3 3 3 (first position)

1. String 4 (D): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), F
2. String 3 (F♯): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), A
3. String 2 (A): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), C
4. String 1 (D): 3rd fret, index finger (barre), F
5. String 5, the short f♯: open, F♯, not in the chord

Sounds: F A C F  ·  F is F, A, C (1 · 3 · 5)

Found in: C major (IV), G mixolydian (♭VII), C mixolydian (IV), G dorian (♭VII), D dorian (♭III), C dorian (IV)

The 5th string: the short f♯ rubs against the F in this shape, a semitone away: some players let it ring, some skip it.

With a capo: on the 3rd fret it’s 0 0 0 0 (frets counted from the capo), an open D shape. Spike the 5th string at the 8th fret to keep it in tune with the capo.

Open D tuning: f♯DF♯AD, the short 5th string first, then strings 4 to 1.