Free Chord Finder

This online chord finder serves as a comprehensive chord identifier and chord namer. Whenever you need to answer "What chord is this?", simply feed the tool the notes you have, and it returns a list of possible chord names. It is an ideal music chord finder for songwriters, students, and performers alike.

How to Use the Chord Identifier

To identify a chord, enter its constituent notes in any sequence—you can add them as soon as you recognize each one. Optionally, specify a root note (usually the lowest note). The tool then displays matching chords sorted by probability. If you choose a root, the list becomes more focused, but omitting a root allows the tool to suggest a wider range of interpretations. For instance, entering the notes C, E, G, B♭, and D♭ yields C7♭9, a dominant seventh chord with a flattened ninth. If a result doesn't match your ear, try deselecting the root note or double‑check your note inputs.

Fundamentals of Chord Structure

A chord is defined as three or more notes played simultaneously. In written music, each chord appears as a chord symbol consisting of the root note (tonic) and a quality descriptor. The quality tells the musician which specific intervals to use. Some examples: Cmaj (C major), F7 (F dominant seventh), A♭min (A‑flat minor), and Bsus4 (B suspended fourth).

The simplest chord forms are triads—three notes stacked in thirds. The four basic triad types, their characteristic moods, the scale steps they include, and their examples in the key of C are summarized below:

Triad	Mood	Scale Steps	Example in C
Major	Bright and stable	$1, 3, 5$	Cmaj: C E G
Minor	Dark and somber	$1, \flat 3, 5$	Cmin: C E♭ G
Augmented	Ethereal and unsettled	$1, 3, \sharp 5$	Caug: C E G♯
Diminished	Tense and dissonant	$1, \flat 3, \flat 5$	Cdim: C E♭ G♭

Major chords are often described as happy, while minor chords sound sad or serious. Augmented chords add a floating, mysterious quality, and diminished chords feel unstable, often requiring resolution.

Seventh Chords

Adding a seventh above the root to any triad creates a seventh chord. The following table shows the common seventh‑quality types, their moods, interval structures, and examples:

Seventh Type	Mood	Interval Pattern	Example
Major seventh	Nostalgic and smooth	$1, 3, 5, 7$	Cmaj7: C E G B
Dominant seventh	Expectant, wants resolution	$1, 3, 5, \flat 7$	C7: C E G B♭
Minor seventh	Soft and melancholic	$1, \flat 3, 5, \flat 7$	Cmin7: C E♭ G B♭
Diminished seventh	Highly dissonant	$1, \flat 3, \flat 5, \flat\flat 7$	Cdim7: C E♭ G♭ B𝄫
Half‑diminished seventh	Mournful, dark	$1, \flat 3, \flat 5, \flat 7$	Cmin7♭5: C E♭ G♭ B♭

The dominant seventh is one of the most important chords in functional harmony—its strong tendency to resolve to the tonic chord makes it a cornerstone of Western harmony. Half‑diminished chords are often used in jazz and classical progressions.

Ninth Chords

Ninth chords extend seventh chords by adding the note a ninth above the root. The underlying seventh quality shapes the overall character of the ninth chord.

Ninth Type	Based On	Interval Pattern	Example
Major ninth	Maj7	$1, 3, 5, 7, 9$	Cmaj9: C E G B D
Dominant ninth	Dom7	$1, 3, 5, \flat 7, 9$	C9: C E G B♭ D
Dominant minor ninth	Dom7♭9	$1, 3, 5, \flat 7, \flat 9$	C7♭9: C E G B♭ D♭
Minor ninth	Min7	$1, \flat 3, 5, \flat 7, 9$	Cmin9: C E♭ G B♭ D

Ninth chords are common in jazz, blues, and modern pop, adding a layer of richness while retaining the essential seventh foundation.

Suspended Chords

Suspended chords replace the third of a triad with either the second (sus2) or the fourth (sus4). The term "suspended" originates from the practice of holding a note from a previous chord into the new one before resolving it.

Suspended Type	Mood	Interval Pattern	Example
Sus2	Strong and open	$1, 2, 5$	Csus2: C D G
Sus4	Expectant, floating	$1, 4, 5$	Csus4: C F G

Suspended chords are frequently used in folk, rock, and pop to create tension and forward motion. They often resolve to a standard major or minor chord.

Practical Tips for Identifying Chords by Ear

• Locate the tonic (home chord). The chord that sounds most resolved and appears frequently is usually the key's tonic. Identifying it gives you a reference for the entire song.
• Focus on individual notes. Listen to the bass line (which often plays the root) and then pick out the remaining notes from the melody and chordal accompaniment. Use this chord finder to test combinations.
• Assess the chord's emotional quality. Compare the mood you hear with the descriptions in the tables—a tense, dissonant feeling could point to a diminished or dominant seventh chord; a bright, stable sound suggests a major triad.
• Play the chord on an instrument. Reconstructing the chord on a piano or guitar reinforces your understanding and helps verify your analysis.

With practice, using this online chord finder will sharpen your ear and deepen your grasp of music theory.