Online Chord Finder
Pick a root note and chord type to instantly see its notes, intervals, and formula — then hear it played. Covers 30+ chord types across all 12 root notes.
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🎵 Chord Types Reference
All supported chord types with their interval formulas. The root note can be any of the 12 chromatic notes.
| Symbol | Name | Intervals | Example (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Major | 1–3–5 | C E G |
| Cm | Minor | 1–♭3–5 | C E♭ G |
| C7 | Dominant 7th | 1–3–5–♭7 | C E G B♭ |
| Cmaj7 | Major 7th | 1–3–5–7 | C E G B |
| Cm7 | Minor 7th | 1–♭3–5–♭7 | C E♭ G B♭ |
| Cdim | Diminished | 1–♭3–♭5 | C E♭ G♭ |
| Cdim7 | Diminished 7th | 1–♭3–♭5–♭♭7 | C E♭ G♭ B♭♭ |
| Caug | Augmented | 1–3–♯5 | C E G♯ |
| Csus2 | Suspended 2nd | 1–2–5 | C D G |
| Csus4 | Suspended 4th | 1–4–5 | C F G |
| C9 | Dominant 9th | 1–3–5–♭7–9 | C E G B♭ D |
| Cmaj9 | Major 9th | 1–3–5–7–9 | C E G B D |
| Cm9 | Minor 9th | 1–♭3–5–♭7–9 | C E♭ G B♭ D |
| Cadd9 | Add 9 | 1–3–5–9 | C E G D |
| C5 | Power Chord | 1–5 | C G |
| C6 | Major 6th | 1–3–5–6 | C E G A |
| Cm6 | Minor 6th | 1–♭3–5–6 | C E♭ G A |
About Chord Theory
A chord is three or more notes played simultaneously. The simplest chords are triads — built from a root note, a third, and a fifth. The quality of the third (major or minor) and the fifth (perfect, diminished, or augmented) determines the chord's character.
Extended chords add notes beyond the basic triad — 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths. These are common in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul. A sus chord replaces the third with a 2nd or 4th, creating an unresolved, suspended sound that begs to move back to the major or minor version.
Understanding chord formulas lets you build any chord in any key. Every chord type uses the same interval pattern regardless of the root — a minor chord is always root + 3 semitones + 7 semitones, whether it's Am, Dm, or F#m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in a C major chord?
C, E, and G. These are the root (1st), major third (3rd), and perfect fifth (5th) of the C major scale.
What is the difference between major and minor?
The third. Major has a major third (4 semitones above root) — sounds bright and happy. Minor has a minor third (3 semitones) — sounds darker and sadder. The fifth is the same in both.
What does the 7 mean in a chord?
It adds a 7th note above the root. G7 = G B D F (dominant 7th — creates tension). Gmaj7 = G B D F# (major 7th — jazzy and warm). Gm7 = G Bb D F (minor 7th — smooth and mellow).
What is a power chord (C5)?
A power chord has just two notes — root and fifth. It has no third, so it's neither major nor minor. This makes it very versatile and is why it's used so heavily in rock and metal guitar — it works over both major and minor chord changes.
How do I find chords in a key?
Use the Circle of Fifths — it shows all seven diatonic chords for any major or minor key. For C major the chords are: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim. These seven chords all use only the notes of the C major scale.