Piano chord finder
Tap the notes you’re holding and get the chord’s name, inversion and every alternative name. Works as a chord identifier for anything you find by ear.
Tap two or more keys
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How to name a chord you’re holding
- Stack it in thirds. Rearrange the notes so each is a third (3 or 4 half steps) above the last. The bottom note of that stack is the root.
- Measure the third. 4 half steps from root to third = major; 3 = minor.
- Check the fifth. 7 half steps is perfect; 6 means diminished (♭5); 8 means augmented (♯5).
- Add the extras. A 7th 10 half steps up is a dominant/minor 7th; 11 is a major 7th. A 2 or 4 replacing the third makes it sus2/sus4.
- Look at the bass. If the lowest note isn’t the root, write it after a slash: C major with E in the bass is C/E.
Browse all shapes in the piano chords chart, or train your ear to hear chord qualities with the chord ear-training drill.
Questions
How does the chord finder identify a chord?
It reduces the notes you pressed to their pitch classes (so octave doesn’t matter), then checks every chord shape it knows — triads, sus chords, 6ths, 7ths, 9ths and power chords — on all 12 roots. The lowest note decides the inversion: if it isn’t the root, the result is written as a slash chord such as C/E.
Why does it show more than one name?
Some note sets have several correct names. C–E–G–A is both C6 and Am7/C; diminished 7th and augmented chords are symmetrical, so any of their notes can be the root. The most likely name (root in the bass, most common chord type) is listed first.
Can I search for a chord by name instead?
Yes — type a chord symbol such as F#m7, Bbmaj7, Gsus4 or D/F# in the "Look up by name" box and it will be drawn on the keyboard.
Does it work with a MIDI keyboard?
Not directly — but you can use your computer keyboard: the Z row and Q row play notes, and every key you hold is added to the chord.