# Chord Calculator

Find the notes in any chord. Select a root note and chord type to see notes, intervals, and scale degree formula for major, minor, 7th, and more.

## What this calculates

Pick a root note and chord type to instantly see every note in the chord, the intervals in semitones, and the scale degree formula. Covers major, minor, diminished, augmented, suspended, and seventh chords in all 12 keys.

## Inputs

- **Root Note** — options: C, C# / Db, D, D# / Eb, E, F, F# / Gb, G, G# / Ab, A, A# / Bb, B
- **Chord Type** — options: Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Suspended 2nd (sus2), Suspended 4th (sus4), Major 7th, Minor 7th, Dominant 7th, Diminished 7th, Half-Diminished 7th, Augmented 7th

## Outputs

- **Chord Name** — formatted as text
- **Notes** — formatted as text — Individual notes in the chord
- **Intervals** — formatted as text — Semitone intervals from root
- **Interval Names** — formatted as text
- **Formula** — formatted as text — Scale degree formula

## Details

How chords are built:

A chord is a group of notes played together. Most chords are built by stacking intervals (measured in semitones) on top of a root note.

Common chord types:

  - Major -- bright, happy sound. Formula: 1 - 3 - 5 (root, major 3rd, perfect 5th)

  - Minor -- darker, sadder sound. Formula: 1 - b3 - 5 (root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th)

  - Diminished -- tense, unstable. Formula: 1 - b3 - b5

  - Augmented -- dreamy, unresolved. Formula: 1 - 3 - #5

  - Dominant 7th -- bluesy, wants to resolve. Formula: 1 - 3 - 5 - b7

  - Major 7th -- smooth, jazzy. Formula: 1 - 3 - 5 - 7

  - Minor 7th -- mellow, soulful. Formula: 1 - b3 - 5 - b7

Semitone reference: one semitone = one fret on guitar, one key (including black keys) on piano. A major 3rd is 4 semitones, a perfect 5th is 7 semitones.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is the difference between major and minor chords?**

A: The only difference is the 3rd. A major chord has a major 3rd (4 semitones above the root) while a minor chord has a minor 3rd (3 semitones). This one-semitone difference is what makes major chords sound bright and minor chords sound darker.

**Q: What does 'sus' mean in a chord name?**

A: Sus stands for 'suspended.' In a sus chord, the 3rd is replaced by either the 2nd (sus2) or the 4th (sus4). Without the 3rd, the chord is neither major nor minor, giving it an open, unresolved quality that wants to resolve back to a major or minor chord.

**Q: How do I read chord symbols like Cm7 or G#dim?**

A: The letter is the root note. Everything after it describes the chord quality: 'm' = minor, 'dim' = diminished, 'aug' = augmented, '7' = dominant 7th, 'maj7' = major 7th, 'm7' = minor 7th. So Cm7 is C minor 7th (C, Eb, G, Bb) and G#dim is G# diminished (G#, B, D).

**Q: Why are some notes sharp and some flat?**

A: This calculator uses sharp names (C#, D#, etc.) for simplicity. In music theory, the same note can be called C# or Db depending on the key context. For example, in the key of Db major you would write Db, but in the key of C# minor you would write C#. Both refer to the same pitch.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/everyday/chord
Category: Everyday Life
Last updated: 2026-04-08