Draw out a 1- to 2-inch square with a ruler.
Make four even, vertical lines from the top of the square to the bottom of the square. These lines, including the outside lines of the square, represent the six strings of the guitar. The strings go from the thickest string to the thinnest string, from left to right.
Draw out three even, intersecting lines going horizontally, from the left side of the square to the other. These represent the frets on the guitar.
Write out the chord name for which you are making a chord chart at the top of the square. Leave some space between the top of the square and the chord name. For example, if you were making a chord chart for E, write E at the top.
Mark out where your fingers should be when playing the E chord using filled-in dark circles. Place the circles on the vertical lines (the strings) and between the horizontal lines (the frets).
Draw a filled-in circle on the second line from the left, between the second and third horizontal line, from the top. Draw another filled-in circle on the third line from the left, in between the second and third horizontal line. Make a third circle on the fourth line from the left, in between the first and second horizontal line. This is the finger placement for an E chord.
Write out which strings you need to play with the chord and which ones you don't. A circle shape represents an open string, meaning that you strum it with the rest of the chord. An "x" shape means that you do not strum that specific string when playing the chord. Write these shapes at the top of the square, just below where you wrote the name of the chord. In an E chord, you play every string, so put the circle shape above the first, fifth and sixth strings.