Chord Finder
Identify any chord by clicking notes on an interactive piano keyboard. Select up to 6 notes and the tool instantly identifies the chord name, quality (major, minor, diminished, augmented, dominant 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, and more), root note, inversions, and interval formula. Hear the selected notes played together via Web Audio synthesis. The chord finder tries all rotations of the selected notes to detect inversions and shows all possible chord names when a set of notes matches multiple interpretations. Perfect for learning chord theory, transcribing music by ear, or exploring unfamiliar harmonic combinations.
Click notes to select them (max 6). The tool identifies the chord in real time.
Common Chord Formulas
How to Use
- 1
Click Notes on the Piano
Click keys on the interactive 1-2 octave piano keyboard to select notes (up to 6). Each selected note toggles on or off and highlights on the keyboard.
- 2
Read the Chord Name
As you select notes, the tool identifies the chord in real time — showing the chord name, quality (major, minor, diminished, augmented, 7th), root note, and all possible names for the voicing.
- 3
View Intervals and Formula
See the interval structure displayed as a formula (e.g., "1 3 5" for major, "1 b3 5" for minor) so you understand how the chord is constructed from its root.
- 4
Play and Clear
Click Play to hear all selected notes sounded together as a chord. Use the Clear button to deselect all notes and start identifying a different chord.
Examples by Niche
Click C, E, and G to see "C Major" identified with formula 1-3-5. Then click Eb instead of E to watch it change to "C Minor" — understanding how one note changes the chord quality.
Click E, G, and C — the tool recognizes this as C Major in first inversion (E in the bass). See all possible names including C/E, helping you understand slash chord notation.
Select C, E, G, B to see "Cmaj7" identified. Add D to get "Cmaj9". The tool shows extended chord names and intervals for complex jazz voicings.
Hear a chord in a song, try to pick out the individual notes on the keyboard, and let the tool confirm the chord name. A practical way to develop your harmonic ear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the chord identification work?
The tool takes the selected notes, calculates the intervals between them in semitones, and compares against a database of known chord formulas. It tries all rotations (inversions) of the note set to find the best match. For example, notes C-E-G match the major triad formula [0, 4, 7], while E-G-C matches the first inversion of C major.
What chord types can it identify?
The tool recognizes major, minor, diminished, augmented, suspended 2nd, suspended 4th, dominant 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, minor-major 7th, diminished 7th, half-diminished 7th, augmented 7th, added 9th, and 6th chords. Complex voicings with more than 4 notes may produce multiple possible interpretations, all of which are displayed.
What is a chord inversion?
An inversion occurs when a note other than the root is the lowest (bass) note. Root position: C-E-G. First inversion: E-G-C (3rd in bass). Second inversion: G-C-E (5th in bass). Inversions change the voicing and feel of a chord without changing its name. The tool identifies which inversion you have selected.
Can I hear the chord I selected?
Yes — click the play button to hear all selected notes sounded simultaneously as a chord using Web Audio synthesis. This helps you connect the visual note selection with the actual sound, which is essential for developing your ear for chord recognition.
Related Tools
Circle of Fifths
Interactive circle of fifths diagram — click any key to see chords, key signatures, and relative major/minor.
Scale Finder
Find any musical scale by root note and type — see notes, intervals, and a piano visualization with audio playback.
Interval Ear Trainer
Train your ear to recognize musical intervals — hear two notes and identify the interval with score tracking.