C#dim Guitar Chord (C Sharp Diminished)

Q: What notes are in the C#dim chord?

C♯dim has 3 notes: C♯, E and G . Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5: C♯ is the root, E a minor 3rd and G a diminished 5th above it.

Q: How do you play C#dim on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is x42x23 (at the 2nd fret). Put your little finger (4) on the 4th fret of the A (5th) string. Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string. Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string. Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the high E (1st) string. Don't play the low E (6th) or G (3rd) strings (marked X). Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).

The C#dim guitar chord (C sharp diminished, also written D♭dim) has 3 notes: C♯, E and G. Below you'll find 5 shapes with diagrams, how to play it step by step, the keys it belongs to and common progressions that use it.

x42x23 · at the 2nd fret

Notes: C♯ – E – G
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
Type: diminished
Also written: D♭dim
Difficulty: easy

Transpose a song

All 5 ways to play C#dim on guitar

x42x23 at the 2nd fret
x42020 open position
x4565x at the 4th fret
97x98x at the 7th fret
x-x-11-12-x-12 at the 11th fret

Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).

How to play C#dim on guitar

Main shape: x42x23 (at the 2nd fret).

Put your little finger (4) on the 4th fret of the A (5th) string.
Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string.
Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the high E (1st) string.
Don't play the low E (6th) or G (3rd) strings (marked X).
Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).

C#dim notes and intervals

Note	Formula	Interval from the root
C♯	1	root
E	♭3	minor 3rd
G	♭5	diminished 5th

Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: C♯dim/E (1st inversion) and C♯dim/G (2nd inversion).

C#dim on piano and ukulele

C♯dim on piano C♯ – E – G
C♯dim on ukulele 6434

Which keys use C#dim?

C♯dim is one of the basic chords of 2 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:

Key	Written	Numeral	Function
D major	C♯°	vii°	dominant
B minor	C♯°	ii°	predominant
D minor	C♯°	vii°	dominant (harmonic minor)

Transpose C#dim

Move the chord up or down by semitones to see its name and notes in another key.

C♯dim C♯ E G original

Diminished chords on every root: A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C#dim chord?

C♯dim has 3 notes: C♯, E and G. Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5: C♯ is the root, E a minor 3rd and G a diminished 5th above it.

Is C#dim the same as Dbdim?

Yes. C♯ and D♭ are two names for the same note (the same piano key and the same fret), so C♯dim and D♭dim sound the same and use the same shapes. The name follows the key: C♯° in D major and B minor.

What key is C#dim in?

C♯dim is vii° in D major and ii° in B minor. It is also vii° in D minor (harmonic minor, with the raised 7th). The other chords of D major are D, Em, F♯m, G, A and Bm.

How do you play C#dim on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is x42x23 (at the 2nd fret).

Put your little finger (4) on the 4th fret of the A (5th) string.
Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string.
Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the high E (1st) string.
Don't play the low E (6th) or G (3rd) strings (marked X).
Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).

Is there an easy way to play C#dim?

C♯dim is already one of the easier chords. The easiest shape is x42020 (open position).

What is a diminished chord?

A diminished chord has a root, a minor 3rd and a diminished 5th (1–♭3–♭5). It is written dim or °. In a major key, the chord on the 7th note (vii°) is diminished.

More chords

Last updated: October 12, 2026