Chord Inversion
Free online chord inversion calculator for musicians — select any root note and chord type to see root position, first inversion, second inversion, and third inversion with notes and bass notes shown.
About This Calculator
The Chord Inversion Calculator helps musicians, songwriters, composers, and music students quickly find every possible inversion for any chord. Whether you are arranging a piece, writing a song, studying music theory, or exploring new harmonic textures, this tool shows you the complete breakdown of notes in each inversion with the bass note clearly marked.
The calculator is built on standard music theory principles. Each note in the chromatic scale is assigned a pitch class from 0 to 11 (C=0, C#=1, ..., B=11). A chord is defined by its intervals from the root: for example, a major chord has intervals 0, 4, and 7 semitones (root, major third, perfect fifth). To find the inversions, the calculator rotates the notes so that each note takes a turn as the lowest voice. For a triad with notes [root, third, fifth], the root position keeps the root in the bass, the first inversion moves the third to the bass, and the second inversion moves the fifth to the bass. Seventh chords add a third inversion with the seventh in the bass.
The calculator supports 13 chord types: Major, Minor, Augmented, Diminished, Sus2, Sus4, Dominant 7th, Major 7th, Minor 7th, Diminished 7th, Half-diminished 7th, Major 6th, and Minor 6th. Each chord type produces a different number of inversions — triads have 3 inversions (root, first, second) while seventh chords have 4 (root, first, second, third). The results display each inversion's name, the bass note in bold, and the complete voicing showing every note in ascending order from the bass.
A bar chart visualizes the bass note pitch class across all inversions, helping you understand how the bass note changes with each inversion. The URL saves your root note and chord type automatically, making it easy to share specific chord inversions with bandmates, students, or collaborators. Bookmark the URL to return to any chord at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chord inversion?
A chord inversion describes which note of a chord is in the bass (lowest position). For a C major triad (C-E-G), the root position has C in the bass, the first inversion puts E in the bass, and the second inversion puts G in the bass. Inversions change the character of a chord without changing its fundamental identity and are essential for creating smooth bass lines and voice leading in music composition.
How many inversions does a chord have?
A chord has as many inversions as it has notes. Triads (three-note chords) have three inversions: root position, first inversion (third in bass), and second inversion (fifth in bass). Seventh chords (four-note chords) have four inversions: root position, first inversion, second inversion, and third inversion (seventh in bass). Chords with more notes have correspondingly more inversions.
What is the difference between root position and first inversion?
In root position, the root of the chord is the lowest note. In first inversion, the third of the chord is the lowest note. For example, C major in root position is C-E-G (C in bass), while first inversion is E-G-C (E in bass). First inversions sound less stable than root position and are often used to create smoother bass lines or to transition between chords.
How are chord inversions notated in sheet music?
There are two common notation systems: figured bass and slash chords. Figured bass uses numbers to indicate intervals from the bass note (e.g., 6 for first inversion, 6-4 for second inversion). Slash chords use the chord name followed by a slash and the bass note (e.g., C/E means C major with E in the bass). Modern lead sheets primarily use slash chord notation.
Why are chord inversions important in music?
Chord inversions are crucial for voice leading, creating smooth transitions between chords by minimizing large jumps in the bass line. They also change the timbre and emotional quality of a chord. Composers and arrangers use inversions to create more interesting harmonic progressions, avoid parallel fifths and octaves in classical writing, and produce fuller-sounding arrangements across different instrument ranges.
What is a second inversion chord?
A second inversion chord has the fifth of the chord as the lowest note. For a C major triad, the second inversion is G-C-E (G in bass). Second inversion chords have a distinctive sound and are often used in specific contexts such as cadential 6-4 progressions in classical music, where they precede the dominant chord, or in guitar strumming patterns for a fuller sound.
Do seventh chords have a third inversion?
Yes, seventh chords have a third inversion where the seventh of the chord is in the bass. For example, G dominant seventh (G-B-D-F) in third inversion is F-G-B-D. This is also called the 4-2 inversion in figured bass notation (I 4-2). Third inversions create significant harmonic tension and are often used to lead strongly to the following chord in jazz and classical progressions.
How do I use this chord inversion calculator?
Select a root note (C through B, including sharps) and a chord type (Major, Minor, Dominant 7th, etc.) from the dropdown menus. Click Show Inversions to see the chord displayed in all possible inversions. Each inversion shows the bass note and the full voicing of the notes. The breakdown table lists every inversion with its name, bass note, and complete note arrangement.