Chord Finder
Interactive music theory reference. Look up any chord with piano and guitar visualizations, then build progressions.
Piano
Guitar
Chord Progression Builder
Understanding Chords and Music Theory
A chord is three or more notes played simultaneously. Chords are the harmonic foundation of virtually all Western music — from pop and rock to jazz and classical. This chord finder helps you look up any chord by root note and type, showing you the exact notes, interval structure, and fingerings for both piano and guitar.
Chords are built by stacking intervals above a root note. The simplest chords are triads — three-note chords consisting of a root, third, and fifth. By altering these intervals, you create different chord qualities: major (bright), minor (dark), diminished (tense), and augmented (unstable).
Chord Types Explained
Major and minor triads form the foundation of chord theory. Seventh chords add a fourth note — the seventh — to the triad, creating richer harmony used extensively in jazz and R&B. Suspended chords (sus2 and sus4) replace the third with the second or fourth, producing an open, unresolved quality. Add9 chords extend a triad with the ninth (same as the second, but an octave up), adding color without the full complexity of a ninth chord.
Using the Chord Progression Builder
Chord progressions are sequences of chords that form the harmonic backbone of a song. The progression builder lets you chain together chords in any key. Start with a common preset — like the ubiquitous I-V-vi-IV pop progression — or build your own from scratch. Roman numerals represent scale degrees, with uppercase for major chords and lowercase for minor chords.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in a C major chord?
A C major chord contains the notes C, E, and G. It is built using the major triad formula: root (C), major third (E, 4 semitones above the root), and perfect fifth (G, 7 semitones above the root). This is the most common starting chord for beginners learning piano or guitar.
What is the difference between major and minor chords?
The difference lies in the third interval. A major chord uses a major third (4 semitones above the root), giving it a bright, happy sound. A minor chord uses a minor third (3 semitones above the root), creating a darker, more melancholic tone. Both share the same root and perfect fifth — only the third changes.
What are the most common chord progressions in popular music?
The most common chord progressions include I-V-vi-IV (used in countless pop hits like "Let It Be" and "No Woman No Cry"), ii-V-I (the foundation of jazz harmony), I-IV-V (classic blues and rock), and vi-IV-I-V (the "Axis of Awesome" progression). These Roman numeral patterns work in any key — just apply them to the major scale of your chosen root note.
What does "sus" mean in a chord name like Csus4?
The "sus" stands for "suspended." In a sus chord, the third of the chord is replaced — a sus4 replaces it with the perfect fourth, and a sus2 replaces it with the major second. This creates an open, unresolved sound because the chord is neither major nor minor. Sus chords often resolve back to the major or minor chord of the same root.
How do I read a guitar chord diagram?
A guitar chord diagram shows the fretboard vertically. The six vertical lines represent the six strings (low E on the left to high E on the right). Horizontal lines are frets. Dots show where to press your fingers. An "X" above a string means don't play it, and an "O" means play it open (unfretted). Numbers on dots may indicate which finger to use. The top of the diagram represents the nut unless a fret number is shown.