Guitar chord formulas chart Chord symbols and tones notation explained

When approaching for the first time harmony and chords, often guitar players are overwhelmed by the strange symbols they found in chord charts. Chord symbols, and especially those used in Jazz, at first are not easy to digest.

Chords are basically a set of intervals stacked one on the top of another. And what's an interval? An interval is a distance between two notes.

Depending on the qualities of those intervals, we can have different kinds of chords, and then different chords formulas. Showing the intervals composing a chord in table form is a great aid for understanding chord formulas and structure, and build the foundation for more advanced topics, such as chords substitution.

On this page, you find a useful chord formula chart that will help you understand what's behind chord notation.

To learn how chords are constructed on the fretboard, check also our guitar music theory tutorial.

The Best Time to Enroll a Guitar Course was 1 year ago. The second Best time is Now. Imagine what great guitarist you could be in 1 year with a professional guitar course that takes you step-by-step from A to Z. Here's a complete guide that helps find the perfect learning system for you: How To Learn Guitar With Online Lessons

Chord Symbols and Formulas

In the following charts, for each chord you find its symbol (major, minor, 7, 9 etc) and the intervals composing the chord (1,3,5,6, etc).

The number between parenthesis are optional tones that you can use in the chord. Then you see a chart composed of colored boxes.

Each box corresponds to one of the semitones (half-steps) composing the octave, starting from the root. In case of extended chords (those with 9th, 11th or 13th) you'll find another box chart, that represents the upper octave.

Complete List of Chord Symbols and Structure

Major Chords

maj How the Major chord is built: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals composing the Cmaj chord are Root, Major Third, and Perfect Fifth The C Major chord is spelled in the following ways: C Major

C Maj

C M

C Major Triad

Cmaj The C Major chord is made up of the notes C, E, and G Example: C maj More chord diagrams

6 Formula of the Major Sixth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The C6 sixth chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Sixth Some books show this chord as: C Major Sixth

C6 The notes of this chord are C, E, G, and A Example: C 6 More chord diagrams

add9 Chord Formula: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 This chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Ninth The Cadd9 chord is known as: C Major Ninth Added

C Maj9

C Maj Add 9

Cadd9 The notes of the Cadd9 chord are C, E, G, and D Example: C add9 More chord diagrams

maj7 Chord structure of the Major Seventh chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Seventh The C Major Seventh chord is spelled in the following ways: C Major Seventh

C Major 7

Cmaj7 The notes of the Cmaj7 chord are C, E, G, and B Example: C maj7 More chord diagrams

6/9 Tones of the Major Sixth Nine Added chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 This chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Sixth, and Major Ninth Name variations for this chord: C Major Sixth Nine Added

C 6 Add 9

C6/9 The notes in this chord are C, E, G, A, and D Example: C 6/9 More chord diagrams

6(#11) Chord Structure: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Sixth, and Sharp Eleventh Name variations for the C6(#11) chord: C Major Sixth Sharp Eleventh Added

C 6#11

C 6+11

C 6aug11

C6(#11) The notes in this chord are C, E, G, A, and F#

maj9 Chord formula for the Major Ninth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals that compose the C Major Ninth chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth Some books show this chord as: C Major Ninth

C Maj9

C Major 9

Cmaj9 This chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, B, and D Example: C maj9 More chord diagrams

maj13 Tones of the Major Thirteen chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals that compose the C Major Thirteen chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen The Cmaj13 chord is spelled in the following ways: C Major Thirteen

C Maj13

C Major 13

Cmaj13 The notes in the Cmaj13 chord are C, E, G, B, D, F, and A Example: C maj13 More chord diagrams

Minor Chords

m How the Minor chord is built: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The Cm chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, and Perfect Fifth The Cm chord is known as: C Minor

C Min

C Minor Triad

Cm The C Minor chord is made up of the notes C, Eb, and G Example: C m More chord diagrams

m(maj7) Chord structure of the Minor Major Seventh chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals in the C Minor Major Seventh chord are Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Seventh The Cm(maj7) chord is spelled in the following ways: C Minor Major Seventh

C Min Maj7

Cm(maj7) This chord is composed of the notes C, Eb, G, and B Example: C m(maj7) More chord diagrams

m6 Tones of the Minor Sixth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 This chord is composed of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Sixth This chord is also spelled in the following ways: C Minor Sixth

C Minor 6

C Min 6

Cm6 The Cm6 chord is composed of the notes C, Eb, G, and A Example: C m6 More chord diagrams

The Perfect Platform for Beginner Guitarists - 14 Day Free Since 1998 (even before YouTube!), 3 million people have learned to play the guitar using this platform, which means that Guitar Tricks works wonderfully. Today you can enroll Guitar Tricks, the most popular, award-winning guitar learning site, free for 14 day. Join For Free Now

m7 Formula of the Minor Seventh chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals of this chord are Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh Name variations for the C Minor Seventh chord: C Minor Seventh

Cm7 The notes in the C Minor Seventh chord are C, Eb, G, and Bb Example: C m7 More chord diagrams

m(maj9) Chord Formula: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The Cm(maj9) chord is composed of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth Name variations for the C Minor Major Ninth chord: C Minor Major Ninth

C Min Maj 9

Cm(maj9) The notes of the C Minor Major Ninth chord are C, Eb, G, B, and D

m6/9 How to create the Minor Sixth Ninth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals of this chord are Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Sixth, and Major Ninth The C Minor Sixth Ninth chord is spelled in the following ways: C Minor Sixth Ninth

C Minor 6 Add 9

C Minor 6 Added Ninemin 6 Add 9

Cm6/9 This chord is made up of the notes C, Eb, G, A, and D Example: C m6/9 More chord diagrams

m9 Chord formula for the Minor Ninth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The Cm9 chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth Name variations for the Cm9 chord: C Minor Ninth

C Min 9

C Minor 9

Cm9 The Cm9 chord is composed of the notes C, Eb, G, Bb, and D Example: C m9 More chord diagrams

m11 How the Minor Eleventh chord is built: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The C Minor Eleventh chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Major Eleventh This chord is also spelled in the following ways: C Minor Eleventh

C Min 11

C Minor 11

Cm11 The notes in the Cm11 chord are C, Eb, G, Bb, D, and F Example: C m11 More chord diagrams

m13 Chord Structure: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The Cm13 chord is composed of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen Different notations for the Cm13 chord: C Minor Thirteen

C Min 13

C Minor 13

Cm13 The notes of the C Minor Thirteen chord are C, Eb, G, Bb, D, F, and A Example: C m13 More chord diagrams

Sixth Chords

Suspended/Power Chords

5 Formula of the Powerchord chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The C5 chord is composed of the Root, and Perfect Fifth The C Powerchord is known as: C Powerchord

C5 The notes of the C Powerchord are C, and G Example: C 5 More chord diagrams

sus2 Tones of the Suspended Second chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The suspended 2 chord is made up of the Root, Major Second, and Perfect Fifth The Csus2 chord is known as: C Suspended Second

Csus2 This chord is composed of the notes C, D, and G Example: C sus2 More chord diagrams

sus4 Chord formula for the Suspended Fourth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals composing the Csus4 chord are Root, Perfect Fourth, and Perfect Fifth Different notations for the C Suspended Fourth chord: C Suspended Fourth

Csus4 The notes of this chord are C, F, and G Example: C sus4 More chord diagrams

7sus4 Tones of the Dominant Seventh Suspended Fourth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals of this chord are Root, Perfect Fourth, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh Different notations for the C7sus4 chord: C Dominant Seventh Suspended Fourth

C Dom7sus4

C 7 Suspended 5

C7sus4 The notes in the C7sus4 chord are C, F, G, and Bb Example: C 7sus4 More chord diagrams

The Perfect Platform for Beginner Guitarists - 14 Day Free Since 1998 (even before YouTube!), 3 million people have learned to play the guitar using this platform, which means that Guitar Tricks works wonderfully. Today you can enroll Guitar Tricks, the most popular, award-winning guitar learning site, free for 14 day. Join For Free Now

Augmented Chords

aug Chord Structure: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 This chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, and Augmented Fifth The C Augmented Fifth chord is known as: C Augmented Fifth

C Augmented Triad

C +5

C #5

Caug The notes in the C Augmented Fifth chord are C, E, and G# Example: C aug More chord diagrams

7(#5) Formula of the Dominant Seventh Sharp Fifth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The C Dominant Seventh Sharp Fifth chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, and Minor Seventh The C7(#5) chord is known as: C Dominant Seventh Sharp Fifth

C Dom+5

C 7#5

C 7+5

C 7aug5

C7(#5) The C7(#5) chord is made up of the notes C, E, G#, and Bb Example: C 7(#5) More chord diagrams

+(#11) Chord formula for the Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh added chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, and Sharp Eleventh Different notations for the C Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh added chord: C Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh Added

C Aug#11

C #5#11

C+(#11) The C Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh added chord is composed of the notes C, E, G#, and F#

maj7(#5) How to create the Major Seventh Sharp Fifth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals in the C Major Seventh Sharp Fifth chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, and Major Seventh You may find this chord denoted as: C Major Seventh Sharp Fifth

C Maj7+5

C Maj7#5

Cmaj7(#5) The notes in this chord are C, E, G#, and B

9(#5) How the Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth chord is built: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals composing the C9(#5) chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth Different notations for the C9(#5) chord: C Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth

C 9#5

C 9aug5

C 9+5

C Dom9#5

C9(#5) This chord is composed of the notes C, E, G#, Bb, and D Example: C 9(#5) More chord diagrams

13(#5) Tones in the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Fifth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen Name variations for the C13(#5) chord: C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Fifth

C 13+5

C 13aug5

C 13#5

C13(#5) The C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Fifth chord is composed of the notes C, E, G#, Bb, D, F, and A

Diminished Chords

dim Formula of the Diminished chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The Cdim chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, and diminished Fifth Name variations for this chord: C Diminished

C Dim

C Diminished Triad

C Ø

Cdim The notes of the C Diminished chord are C, Eb, and Gb Example: C dim More chord diagrams

dim7 Tones of the Diminished Seventh chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 bb7 b7 7 The intervals that compose the C Diminished Seventh chord are Root, Minor Third, diminished Fifth, and Diminished Seventh The C Diminished Seventh chord is spelled in the following ways: C Diminished Seventh

C Dim

C Diminished 7

C O7

Cdim7 The notes of the C Diminished Seventh chord are C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb Example: C dim7 More chord diagrams

m7b5 Chord structure of the Minor Seventh Flat five chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals in the C Minor Seventh Flat five chord are Root, Minor Third, diminished Fifth, and Minor Seventh Name variations for the C Minor Seventh Flat five chord: C Minor Seventh Flat Five

C Half-diminished Seventh

C Half-diminished 7

C Ø7

C M7-5

C Min7-5

Cm7b5 The notes in this chord are C, Eb, Gb, and Bb Example: C m7b5 More chord diagrams

Exclusive For FaChords Readers: Guitar Lessons That Really Work - 14 Days Free We have partnered with Guitar Tricks, the most popular Online Guitar Lessons website in the World, to give you 14-Day Free Trial Access to their awesome learning platform. You'll access a proven system that provides you with all you need to go from beginner to advanced level quick and easy. 2.5 million of people have already learned how to play the guitar with Guitar Tricks, you could be the next! Get Your Free Trial

Dominant Chords

7 Formula of the Dominant Seventh chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The intervals that compose the C Dominant Seventh chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh The C Dominant Seventh chord is known as: C Dominant Seventh

C Dom

C7 This chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, and Bb Example: C 7 More chord diagrams

7b5 Chord Structure: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 The C7b5 chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, diminished Fifth, and Minor Seventh Name variations for this chord: C Dominant Seventh Flat Five

C 7-5

C 7(b5)

C Dom7b5

C7b5 The notes in this chord are C, E, Gb, and Bb Example: C 7b5 More chord diagrams

7(b13) Chord structure of the Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 This chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Flat Thirteen Different notations for the C Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added chord: C Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added

C Dom7b13

C 7b13

C 7-13

C7(b13) The notes of the C7(b13) chord are C, E, G, Bb, and Ab

7(b9) Chord Structure: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The C Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Minor Ninth The C Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added chord is known as: C Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added

C 7b9

C 7-9

C Dom7b9

C7(b9) The C7(b9) chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and Db Example: C 7(b9) More chord diagrams

7(#11) How to create the Dominant Seventh Sharp Eleventh Added chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Sharp Eleventh The C7(#11) chord is spelled in the following ways: C Dominant Seventh Sharp Eleventh Added

C Dom+11

C 7#11

C 7+11

C 7aug11

C7(#11) The notes of the C7(#11) chord are C, E, G, Bb, and F# Example: C 7(#11) More chord diagrams

7(#9) Chord Structure: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals composing the C7(#9) chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Sharp Ninth This chord is also spelled in the following ways: C Dominant Seventh Sharp Ninth Added

C Dom7#9

C 7#9

C 7+9

C 7aug9

C7(#9) The C7(#9) chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D# Example: C 7(#9) More chord diagrams

9 Tones in the Dominant Ninth chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The C Dominant Ninth chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth Some chord charts name this chord as: C Dominant Ninth

C Dom9

C9 The C9 chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D Example: C 9 More chord diagrams

9b5 Tones in the Dominant Ninth Flat five chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals in this chord are Root, Major Third, diminished Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth The C Dominant Ninth Flat five chord is known as: C Dominant Ninth Flat Five

C 9-5

C 9(b5)

C Dom9b5

C9b5 The C9b5 chord is made up of the notes C, E, Gb, Bb, and D Example: C 9b5 More chord diagrams

11 Chord Formula: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Major Eleventh You may find this chord denoted as: C Dominant Eleventh

C Dom 11

C Dominant 11

C11 The C11 chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, and F Example: C 11 More chord diagrams

9(#11) Chord formula for the Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The C9(#11) chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Sharp Eleventh Some chord charts name this chord as: C Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added

C 9#11

C 9+11

C Dom9aug11

C Dom9+11

C9(#11) The C Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, and F#

13 Chord formula for the Dominant Thirteen chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The C Dominant Thirteen chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen Name variations for the C Dominant Thirteen chord: C Dominant Thirteen

C13 The notes in the C Dominant Thirteen chord are C, E, G, Bb, D, F, and A Example: C 13 More chord diagrams

13(b9) How the Dominant Thirteen Flat Nine chord is built: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The intervals in this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Minor Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen The C Dominant Thirteen Flat Nine chord is spelled in the following ways: C Dominant Thirteen Flat Nine

C 13-9

C 13b9

C13(b9) The notes in this chord are C, E, G, Bb, Db, F, and A Example: C 13(b9) More chord diagrams

13(#11) Formula of the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh chord: 1 b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 #5 6 b7 7 8 b9 9 #9 11 #11 13 The C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Sharp Eleventh, and Major Thirteen The C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh chord is known as: C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh

C 13#11

C 13+11

C 13aug11

C13(#11) The notes in the C13(#11) chord are C, E, G, Bb, D, F#, and A