American fingerstyle guitar is a style of fingerpicking. It includes elements of blues, ragtime, country, gospel, jazz, and many regional music traditions.

American fingerstyle guitar is commonly played on steel string acoustic guitars with 6 or 12 strings. While it is played on just about every type of guitar, these are most common and characteristic. Music arranged for American fingerstyle playing can incorporate chords, arpeggios and any other element to achieve the artist's goals. The guitarists are noted for athletic playing and musical novelty and innovation. Some examples of techniques or elements used by fingerstyle guitarists include: artificial harmonics, classical guitar techniques, hammering on and pulling off with the fretting hand, using the body of the guitar percussively and any other technique the guitarist needs.

American primitive guitar is a style of American fingerstyle guitar. It is thought to have been originated by John Fahey whose first album Blind Joe Death (1959) was a stunning achievement that inspired many guitarists such as Leo Kottke, who made his debut recording of 6 and 12 String Guitar on Fahey's Tacoma label in 1969. American primitive guitar can be characterized by self-taught players that use unique techniques such as alternative tunings and percussive fingering. American primitive guitar has clear folk roots.

Notable American fingerstyle players include:

• Chet Atkins
• John Fahey
• Michael Hedges
• Leo Kottke
• Peter Lang
• Don Ross