Find chords and notes instantly with this free online chord finder and generator. Create chords by root note and musical scale.
Chord Types Chart – Triads, Seventh, and Suspended Chords with Family and Intervals
Quickly find chords, notes, and intervals for triad, seventh, and suspended families in this chord reference table.
| Chord Type* | Family | Notes | Sound Character | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | Triad | 3 | Bright, stable | [0,4,7] |
| Minor | Triad | 3 | Dark, stable | [0,3,7] |
| Diminished | Triad | 3 | Tense, unstable | [0,3,6] |
| Augmented | Triad | 3 | Bright, tense | [0,4,8] |
| Sus2 | Suspended | 3 | Open, airy | [0,2,7] |
| Sus4 | Suspended | 3 | Tense, unresolved | [0,5,7] |
| Major7 | Seventh | 4 | Lush, dreamy | [0,4,7,11] |
| MinorMaj7 | Seventh | 4 | Dark, rich | [0,3,7,11] |
| Dominant7 | Seventh | 4 | Bluesy, tense | [0,4,7,10] |
| Minor7 | Seventh | 4 | Smooth, mellow | [0,3,7,10] |
| Half-Dim7 | Diminished 7th | 4 | Mysterious, unresolved | [0,3,6,10] |
| Dim7 | Diminished 7th | 4 | Very tense, symmetrical | [0,3,6,9] |
* These are the most-used chords; advanced chords are left out for clarity.
Chord Finder FAQ
A chord finder shows the notes in a chord, the spacing between them, and the different ways notes can go together. This makes it easy to harmonize melodies, build progressions, and create fuller sounds.
What are root notes, scales & chords?
Notes are distinct pitches (A, B, C, etc.), with the root as the main note of a scale. Scales are sets of notes that sound good together, and chords are three or more notes played at once. Explore more simple music theory.
What are chord types and families?
Chord types are ways notes are combined for a distinct sound (major, minor, diminished, etc.). Chord families are chord types that sound alike (triad, suspended, seventh, etc.).
What are semitone intervals?
Intervals are the distances between notes of a chord, often counted in semitones. A semitone is the distance from one note to the next.
How to choose the root note and musical scale?
Choose the root note and scale based on your melody or song; all other notes in the scale relate to it.
How to choose chords?
Chords are built from scale notes and chord types. Pick notes that match your melody, and choose types that fit your sound. See common chord types and their characters in the table.
How to find the notes in a chord?
Specify the root note and scale for your music in the generator, then select a chord and view the “Notes in Chord” field.
