Choose a root and a chord type, or type a chord like Cmaj7 or F#m, to see exactly which keys to press, which fingers to use and how every inversion looks. Press play to hear it, then print a chord sheet for the piano stand.
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Root note (click a black key root again for its other name)Chord type
C
C major
Notes
Formula
Half steps
Also written
Root position
RootChord toneRight-hand fingerLeft-hand fingerFingers: 1 thumb · 2 index · 3 middle · 4 ring · 5 pinky. Click any key to hear it.
Inversions and voicings click one to show it above
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How to use the Piano Chord Chart
Pick a root note. Click a black-key root again to switch between its sharp and flat name (C♯ / D♭).
Choose a chord type from triads, 6ths and 7ths or extended chords, or type a name like Am7 and press Find chord.
Read the keyboard: shaded keys are the chord, the dark green key is the root and the numbers above show which finger plays each key.
Switch hands or inversions: use Right hand / Left hand, and click an inversion card to show it on the big keyboard.
Press Play chord or Play arpeggio to hear it, then Print chord sheet for a paper copy.
Piano chord formulas
Every chord is a set of intervals counted from the root. Count half steps on the keyboard (every key, black or white, is one half step) or use the formula numbers from the major scale of the root.
Chord type
Symbol
Formula
Half steps from root
Example on C
Major
C
1 – 3 – 5
0, 4, 7
C – E – G
Minor
Cm
1 – ♭3 – 5
0, 3, 7
C – E♭ – G
Diminished
Cdim
1 – ♭3 – ♭5
0, 3, 6
C – E♭ – G♭
Augmented
Caug
1 – 3 – ♯5
0, 4, 8
C – E – G♯
Suspended 2nd / 4th
Csus2 / Csus4
1 – 2 – 5 / 1 – 4 – 5
0, 2, 7 / 0, 5, 7
C – D – G / C – F – G
Dominant 7th
C7
1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7
0, 4, 7, 10
C – E – G – B♭
Major 7th
Cmaj7
1 – 3 – 5 – 7
0, 4, 7, 11
C – E – G – B
Minor 7th
Cm7
1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7
0, 3, 7, 10
C – E♭ – G – B♭
Half-diminished
Cm7♭5
1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭7
0, 3, 6, 10
C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭
Diminished 7th
Cdim7
1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – 𝄫7
0, 3, 6, 9
C – E♭ – G♭ – B𝄫
Added 9th
Cadd9
1 – 3 – 5 – 9
0, 4, 7, 14
C – E – G – D
Dominant 9th
C9
1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9
0, 4, 7, 10, 14
C – E – G – B♭ – D
Dominant 13th
C13
1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 – 13
0, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21
C – E – G – B♭ – D – A
Standard triad fingering
These are the fingerings most piano methods teach for major and minor triads (1 = thumb, 5 = pinky). The chart above uses the same idea for every chord: it measures the gap between neighbouring keys and gives close keys neighbouring fingers.
Position
Notes (C major)
Right hand
Left hand
Root position
C – E – G
1 – 3 – 5
5 – 3 – 1
1st inversion
E – G – C
1 – 2 – 5
5 – 3 – 1
2nd inversion
G – C – E
1 – 3 – 5
5 – 2 – 1
Seventh chords in root position are usually played 1-2-3-5 in the right hand and 5-3-2-1 in the left. When an inversion puts two notes a half or whole step apart at the top, the fingering moves to 1-2-4-5 so the 4th and 5th fingers take the close pair.
Tips for learning piano chords
Learn shapes, not just notes. C, F and G major are all white keys; D, E and A major have one black key in the middle; D♭, E♭ and A♭ major have a white key in the middle.
Minor is one key lower. Lower the middle note of any major triad by one half step to get the minor chord.
Use inversions for smooth changes. C – F – G becomes easy as C–E–G, C–F–A (2nd inversion of F) and B–D–G (1st inversion of G): the hand barely moves.
Split big chords between hands. For 9ths and 13ths, let the left hand hold the root and 7th so the right hand only plays three or four keys.
Frequently asked questions
How do you build a chord on the piano?
Count half steps (neighbouring keys, black or white) up from the root. A major triad is root + 4 half steps + 3 half steps (C–E–G), a minor triad is root + 3 + 4 (C–E♭–G). Seventh chords add another third on top, for example C7 is C–E–G–B♭.
What fingers do you use for piano chords?
For a root-position triad the right hand usually plays 1-3-5 (thumb, middle, pinky) and the left hand 5-3-1. For the first inversion use 1-2-5 in the right hand, and for the second inversion use 1-3-5 in the right hand and 5-2-1 in the left. The tool picks fingers from the distance between keys, so wider gaps get fingers further apart.
What is a chord inversion?
An inversion puts a note other than the root at the bottom. In the first inversion the 3rd is lowest (E–G–C for C major), in the second inversion the 5th is lowest (G–C–E), and seventh chords also have a third inversion with the 7th in the bass. Inversions keep your hand close to the previous chord when you change chords.
Why are some chords spelled with double flats or E♯?
Each chord tone keeps its letter name from the formula, so the 7th of a diminished 7th chord is a double-flat 7th: Cdim7 is C–E♭–G♭–B𝄫. B𝄫 is the same key as A, but the spelling shows its function, which is how chords are written in sheet music.
How do you play 9th, 11th and 13th chords on piano?
They have five or six notes, which are too wide for one hand, so the left hand usually plays the root and the 7th while the right hand plays the 3rd, 5th and extensions. Pianists also leave out the 5th, and in an 11 chord the 3rd, because it clashes with the 11th.
What is the difference between add9 and 9 chords?
An add9 chord is a triad plus the 9th with no 7th (Cadd9 = C–E–G–D). A 9 chord is a dominant 7th plus the 9th (C9 = C–E–G–B♭–D). A maj9 uses the major 7th instead (C–E–G–B–D).
Can I print the piano chord chart?
Yes. Choose a sheet (one chord type in all 12 keys, every chord type for the current root, or all major and minor triads) and press Print chord sheet. Each card shows the keyboard, notes, formula and fingering, and you can save it as a PDF from the print dialog.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.