Chord Finder
Free online chord finder for musicians — select notes from C to B to identify any chord by name. Supports major, minor, seventh, sixth, suspended, and ninth chords with interval charts.
Select at least 3 notes to identify the chord. Choose up to 5 notes for more accurate results.
About This Calculator
The Chord Finder helps musicians, songwriters, composers, and music students identify any chord by selecting the notes they are playing. Whether you are figuring out a chord progression by ear, analyzing a piece of music, or learning music theory, this tool tells you the exact chord name, root note, quality, and complete note structure. Select between 3 and 5 notes from the dropdown menus and click Find Chord to see instant results.
This calculator uses standard music theory principles to identify chords. Each note in the 12-tone chromatic scale is assigned a pitch class from 0 to 11 (C=0, C#=1, D=2, D#=3, E=4, F=5, F#=6, G=7, G#=8, A=9, A#=10, B=11). For each possible root note, the tool computes the intervals of your selected notes in semitones and matches them against a database of 20 chord patterns. Chords are defined by their interval structure: a major chord has intervals 0, 4, 7 (root, major third, perfect fifth), a minor chord has 0, 3, 7 (root, minor third, perfect fifth), and a dominant seventh adds a minor seventh interval at 10 semitones. The matching algorithm finds both exact matches and subset matches where your selected notes form part of a larger chord.
The chord finder supports 20 chord types: major, minor, diminished, augmented, sus2, sus4, major 6th, minor 6th, major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, diminished 7th, half-diminished 7th, minor-major 7th, augmented 7th, dom 7sus4, major 9th, dominant 9th, minor 9th, and dom 7b9. Results are sorted by match type (exact matches first, then subset matches) and by likelihood (more common chords like major and minor appear before extended chords). The breakdown table lists all matching chords with their root, quality, chord symbol, and complete note list. The interval structure chart visualizes the semitone pattern of the primary match from its root, helping you understand the chord's shape.
Chord identification is a fundamental skill in music theory and ear training. Musicians use chord recognition to transcribe songs by ear, compose harmonic progressions, arrange music for different instruments, and analyze the work of other composers. This tool saves time by instantly computing all possible chord matches, making it especially useful for beginning music students who are still learning to recognize chord patterns, and for experienced musicians who need quick reference during practice or composition sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the chord finder work?
The chord finder analyzes the intervals between the notes you select. Each note is mapped to a pitch class (C=0, C#=1, ..., B=11). For each possible root note from C to B, the calculator computes the intervals of your selected notes and compares them against a comprehensive database of chord patterns including major, minor, diminished, augmented, seventh chords, sixth chords, suspended chords, and ninth chords. Matching chords are sorted by likelihood with exact matches shown first.
What notes are in a C major chord?
A C major chord contains the notes C, E, and G. The intervals are a root (C), a major third (E, 4 semitones above root), and a perfect fifth (G, 7 semitones above root). The C major chord is one of the most fundamental chords in music and is often the first chord beginners learn on piano or guitar.
What is the difference between a major and a minor chord?
The difference between a major and minor chord is the third interval. A major chord has a major third (4 semitones above the root) while a minor chord has a minor third (3 semitones above the root). This difference in one semitone creates a distinctly different mood: major chords sound bright and happy, while minor chords sound dark and sad. For example, C major is C-E-G, while C minor is C-Eb-G.
How do I identify a seventh chord?
A seventh chord adds a fourth note to a triad — the seventh interval above the root. Dominant seventh chords (like G7) contain a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, creating a tense sound that resolves strongly to the tonic. You can identify a seventh chord by ear by its characteristic pull toward resolution, or by selecting four notes in the chord finder to see the chord name. Famous examples include the G7 chord in 'Hallelujah' and 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'.
What is a diminished chord?
A diminished chord consists of a root, a minor third (3 semitones), and a diminished fifth (6 semitones). It has a tense, unstable sound that creates strong harmonic tension. A diminished seventh chord adds a diminished seventh (9 semitones above root), making it even more dissonant. Diminished chords are used frequently in jazz, classical music, and film scores to create suspense before resolving to a more stable chord.
What are suspended chords (sus2 and sus4)?
Suspended chords replace the third of a chord with either a second (sus2) or a fourth (sus4). A sus2 chord contains root, second, and fifth (e.g., Csus2: C-D-G). A sus4 chord contains root, fourth, and fifth (e.g., Csus4: C-F-G). These chords have an open, ambiguous sound because they lack the major/minor third that defines a chord's mood. Sus chords are common in rock, folk, and pop music for creating harmonic movement and tension.
How many types of chords are there?
The chord finder supports 20 chord types across triads (3-note), seventh chords (4-note), sixth chords, and ninth chords (5-note). Triads include major, minor, diminished, augmented, sus2, and sus4. Seventh chords include major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, diminished 7th, half-diminished 7th, minor-major 7th, augmented 7th, and dom 7sus4. Ninth chords include major 9th, dominant 9th, minor 9th, and dom 7b9. In practice, many more chord variations exist beyond this set.
Can the chord finder identify chords with sharps and flats?
Yes, the chord finder supports all 12 pitch classes including sharps (C#, D#, F#, G#, A#) and their enharmonic equivalents (Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb). When you select notes like C, Eb, and G, the tool identifies it as C minor. The results display roots in sharp notation, but the interval chart and breakdown table show the complete analysis regardless of enharmonic spelling.