Major chord: formula, notes on every root, and how it sounds
A major chord is root, major third and perfect fifth (0-4-7 semitones). Hear it, see it spelled on all 12 roots, and test your ear: major or minor?
A major chord (major triad) stacks three notes: the root, the major third (4 semitones up) and the perfect fifth (7 semitones up). C major is C, E and G. It sounds bright, stable and resolved, and it is the most common chord in Western music.
Listen to C
C E G
What is the formula of a major chord?
| Chord tone | Interval from the root | Semitones | In C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | root | 0 | C |
| Third | major third | 4 | E |
| Fifth | perfect fifth | 7 | G |
Formula: 0-4-7 semitones. Written C, CM, Cmaj.
What does a major chord sound like?
Bright, open and finished. If a song ends on a chord that sounds like "home", it is usually a major chord.
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen to the middle note: in a major chord it sits 4 semitones above the root, which gives the brighter colour.
- Change only that middle note down one semitone and you get a minor chord: the fastest way to learn the difference is to alternate them.
- The major chord is the first, fourth and fifth chord of every major key (I, IV, V).
Quick test: is it a major chord?
Four chords on different roots. Each is a major chord or a chord it is often confused with.
Score: / 4 (your score updates as you answer)
Major chords on all 12 roots
Spelled by letter from the formula, so thirds are always a letter apart (E♭, not D♯, in C minor).
| Chord | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C | C E G | |
| D♭ | D♭ F A♭ | |
| D | D F♯ A | |
| E♭ | E♭ G B♭ | |
| E | E G♯ B | |
| F | F A C | |
| F♯ | F♯ A♯ C♯ | |
| G | G B D | |
| A♭ | A♭ C E♭ | |
| A | A C♯ E | |
| B♭ | B♭ D F | |
| B | B D♯ F♯ |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a major chord?
The root, the major third and the perfect fifth of the major scale: degrees 1, 3 and 5. C major is C E G, G major is G B D, F major is F A C.
What is the formula of a major chord in semitones?
0, 4, 7: root, then 4 semitones up (major third), then 3 more semitones (minor third) to the fifth.
What is the difference between a major and a minor chord?
Only the third. Major has a major third (4 semitones above the root), minor has a minor third (3 semitones). C major is C E G, C minor is C E flat G.
How is a major chord written?
By its root letter alone: "C" means C major. Some charts write CM or Cmaj.