What is the note on the 5th fret of the E string?

The note on the 5th fret of the E string is A. Understanding this involves recognizing how notes are laid out on the guitar fretboard. The E string, which is the thickest string, is tuned to an E note in open position.

When you press down the string at the 1st fret, you raise the pitch to F. Moving to the 2nd fret raises it to F#, the 3rd fret to G, and the 4th fret to G#. Continuing this pattern, when you reach the 5th fret, you find the note A.

This pattern of half steps and whole steps is consistent across the fretboard, and knowing the natural notes and their sharps helps in recognizing the names of notes quickly. By this method of counting up from E, it becomes apparent that the note at the 5th fret is indeed A.