May 10, 2026 · 5 min read

What Is Guitar Pro? A Beginner's Guide to .gp5, .gpx, and .gp7 Files

Guitar Pro files are the gold standard for tab distribution — they include timing, techniques, multi-track arrangements, and built-in playback. Here's what they are and how to use them.

What is Guitar Pro?

Guitar Pro is software (made by Arobas Music) for creating, editing, and playing back guitar tablature. It's been around since 1997 and has become the standard format for sharing high-quality tabs across the internet.

When musicians say "download the Guitar Pro file" for a song, they mean a .gp, .gp3, .gp4, .gp5, .gpx, or .gp7 file — each an evolution of the same format.

How Guitar Pro files differ from plain text tabs

Plain text tabs (like those on Ultimate Guitar) are static — they show you the notes but:

  • Have no timing information (you can't hear how it should sound)
  • Only show one instrument
  • Can't be slowed down or looped
  • Vary wildly in quality

Guitar Pro files contain:

  • Full timing data — every note has a duration, so the file can be played back
  • Multiple tracks — guitar, bass, drums, keys, all in the same file
  • Technique markers — slides, bends, hammer-ons, vibrato, palm muting, harmonics
  • Tempo and time signature — the file knows how fast to play
  • Tuning information — drop D, open G, DADGAD, etc.

What do the different file extensions mean?

.gp / .gp3 / .gp4

Older Guitar Pro formats. Still widely supported. Contain all the essentials.

.gp5

Guitar Pro 5 format — the most common format online. Virtually all tabs from 2005–2015 use this.

.gpx

Guitar Pro 6 format. XML-based internally, supports RSE (Realistic Sound Engine) audio rendering.

.gp7

Current Guitar Pro format. Supports more instrument types and improved audio. Growing in popularity.

For most purposes, .gp5 files are the most reliable — they've been around the longest and have the most community-created content. All formats are functionally equivalent for learning songs.

Where to find Guitar Pro files

Guitar Pro files are widely available online. Common sources:

  • Ultimate Guitar Pro — subscription-based, huge library, official Guitar Pro app integration
  • Songsterr — streaming tab playback, some downloadable files
  • Community tab libraries — user-submitted files on forums, Discord servers, and apps like Tablura
  • Reddit communities — r/guitarlessons, r/guitar, and instrument-specific subs often share files

Do you need to buy Guitar Pro software?

No. Guitar Pro files can be opened by several free applications and web apps. Tablura supports all Guitar Pro formats natively — import a .gp5 or .gp7 file and it will render the full tab with animated playback, synchronized cursor, and real-time note detection when you play along.

Open Guitar Pro files in your browser

Drop a .gp5, .gpx, or .gp7 file into Tablura — it renders instantly with full tab playback, no software install required.

Try it free →