Chord Library & Chord Builder

Pick a root, a chord type and an instrument: this chord builder (a chord maker for guitar, piano and ukulele) shows every shape, the notes and the formula, and plays it. The chord library below has full charts for each instrument and a page for each of the most-searched chords.

Am7 minor 7th

Notes: A – C – E – G · Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7

All about Am7: shapes, fingering, keys and progressions

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Chord charts

Chord types

G#m guitar Bm7 guitar C guitar D7 guitar E5 guitar Cm7 guitar E7 guitar D5 guitar Gm guitar Dmaj7 guitar C6 guitar Bm piano Cmaj7 guitar Gmaj7 guitar Am7 guitar Cdim guitar Dm guitar A guitar Amaj7 guitar A5 guitar G5 guitar G6 guitar Ddim guitar Gm7 guitar Em7 guitar Gsus4 guitar Bdim guitar Emaj7 guitar Adim guitar Csus4 guitar

How common chords are built

Every chord starts on its root. The formula numbers are scale steps; the semitone steps are what you count on a keyboard or along a string, one key or fret at a time.

ChordFormulaSemitone stepsNotes
C 1 – 3 – 5 4 + 3 C – E – G
Cm 1 – ♭3 – 5 3 + 4 C – E♭ – G
C7 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 4 + 3 + 3 C – E – G – B♭
Cmaj7 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 4 + 3 + 4 C – E – G – B
Cm7 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7 3 + 4 + 3 C – E♭ – G – B♭
Cdim 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 3 + 3 C – E♭ – G♭
Caug 1 – 3 – ♯5 4 + 4 C – E – G♯
Csus4 1 – 4 – 5 5 + 2 C – F – G

Frequently asked questions

How do I use the chord builder?

Choose an instrument, a root note and a chord type. The builder shows every shape it knows for that chord on guitar or ukulele (or the root position and inversions on piano), the notes, the formula, and a Play button for each shape. The address of the page changes with your choice, so you can bookmark or share a chord.

How do you build a chord?

Start on the root and stack notes from the formula. Counting semitones (every key or fret counts): a major chord is root + 4 + 3 (C–E–G), a minor chord root + 3 + 4 (C–E♭–G), a diminished chord 3 + 3, an augmented chord 4 + 4. A 7th chord adds one more note on top.

How do you build chords on piano?

Find the root key and count up in semitones, including black keys. For C major: C, then 4 keys up to E, then 3 more to G. For C minor: C, 3 keys up to E♭, then 4 more to G. The table on this page gives the steps for the common chord types.

Can I download a chord diagram?

Yes. Under each shape, PNG and SVG save that diagram as a picture file, ready for a worksheet, a song sheet or slides. So the builder is also a chord diagram maker for guitar, ukulele and piano.

Can it make a random chord?

Yes. Press "Random chord" to get a random root and one of the common chord types, then see how to play it and hear it.

What is the difference between the chord builder and the chord identifier?

The chord builder goes from a chord name to the notes and shapes. The chord identifier goes the other way: tap the frets or piano keys you are playing and it tells you the chord name.

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