What notes are in a C major chord?

A C major chord contains three notes: C (the root), E (the major third), and G (the perfect fifth).

Is C major a major or minor chord?

C major is a major chord. The major quality comes from the third — E is a major third (4 semitones) above C.

How do you play a C major chord on piano?

Place your thumb on C, middle finger on E, and pinky on G. All three are white keys with no sharps or flats.

How do you play a C major chord on guitar?

The most common open voicing puts your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string (C), middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string (E), index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string (C), and the 3rd, 1st, and open 6th strings ring out as G, E, and an optional bass note.

C major chord — notes, intervals, and practice

C major is the simplest triad in Western music — three white keys, no sharps, no flats. It's the chord most students learn first, and it sits at the centre of the circle of fifths as the only major key with a key signature of zero accidentals. Built by stacking thirds on the root, C major is C, E, and G.

Intervals

The C major chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

C→Emajor 3rd4 semitones
E→Gminor 3rd3 semitones
C→Gperfect 5th7 semitones

On the keyboard

Each note of the C major chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.

On the guitar

One voicing of the C major chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

Common mistakes

Beginners sometimes confuse C major with the C-shape barre chord on guitar (which is the same chord voiced differently) or assume the chord must always start on middle C. Pitch class is what matters: any C, any E, and any G — in any octave or order — voice a C major triad. The other trap is spelling: when writing C major in a flat key context (like as the V chord of F major), don't respell E as Fb or G as Abb. Stacked thirds dictate C–E–G; that's the only correct spelling.

In context

C major shows up as the I chord in C major, the IV chord in G major, the V chord in F major, and the bVII chord in D minor. The most common progression you'll meet it in is I–V–vi–IV (C–G–Am–F) — the so-called "four chords of pop."

Drill it

The C major chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.

Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

What notes are in a C major chord?: A C major chord contains three notes: C (the root), E (the major third), and G (the perfect fifth).
Is C major a major or minor chord?: C major is a major chord. The major quality comes from the third — E is a major third (4 semitones) above C.
How do you play a C major chord on piano?: Place your thumb on C, middle finger on E, and pinky on G. All three are white keys with no sharps or flats.
How do you play a C major chord on guitar?: The most common open voicing puts your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string (C), middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string (E), index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string (C), and the 3rd, 1st, and open 6th strings ring out as G, E, and an optional bass note.