The piano chord chart shows which keys to press for any chord with a visual keyboard diagram. Select a root note and chord type to see the exact notes highlighted on the piano keyboard.
Chord Lookup
Understanding Piano Chords
Piano chords are built by stacking intervals on top of a root note. Most basic chords are triads — three notes. Extended chords add 7ths, 9ths, and beyond. Understanding the interval structure lets you build any chord from scratch.
Triad Structures
Major triad: root + major third (4 semitones) + minor third (3 semitones) = root, 3rd, 5th. Minor triad: root + minor third (3 semitones) + major third (4 semitones) = root, ♭3rd, 5th. Diminished: root + m3 + m3. Augmented: root + M3 + M3. Once you know these four structures, you can build any triad in any key by counting semitones.
Extended Chords (7ths)
Adding a 7th to a major chord creates either a major 7th (add major 7th, 11 semitones above root) or dominant 7th (add minor 7th, 10 semitones above root). C major 7: C E G B. C dominant 7: C E G Bb. The dominant 7th is the "tension chord" — it wants to resolve. The major 7th is richer and more complex-sounding without that tension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this piano chord chart free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
What notes are in a C major chord?
C major consists of C, E, and G — the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the C major scale. On piano, C is a white key, E is a white key two white keys up, and G is a white key two more white keys up (but 3 white keys from E). The interval structure is a major third (4 semitones) + minor third (3 semitones).
What is the difference between a major and minor chord?
A major chord has a major third (4 semitones) between the root and the middle note. A minor chord has a minor third (3 semitones) between root and middle note. C major: C-E-G. C minor: C-Eb-G (the E is lowered by one semitone to Eb). Minor chords sound darker and more melancholic.
What are the notes in a dominant 7th chord?
A dominant 7th chord (written as G7) adds a minor 7th to a major chord. G7 = G B D F. The interval structure is: major third + minor third + minor third. The 'dominant' feel creates strong tension that wants to resolve to the chord a fifth below (G7 resolves to C).
How do I play chord inversions on piano?
An inversion moves the lowest note of the chord up an octave. C major root position: C-E-G. First inversion: E-G-C (C moves to the top). Second inversion: G-C-E (G at bottom). Inversions create smoother voice leading between chords by minimizing the distance each hand moves.