Cmaj7 chord
Cmaj7 is C, E, G and B: 1–3–5–7 built on C. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-3-2-0-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- C · E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
- First shape
- x-3-2-0-0-0
Cmaj7 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · C–E–G–B · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- C · E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
Cmaj7 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-0-0-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- C · E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
- First shape
- 0-0-0-2
Where Cmaj7 usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what Cmaj7 does in songs.
- Cmaj7 → Fmaj7 (IV in C major)
Guitar: Cmaj7 (x-3-2-0-0-0) to Fmaj7 (x-x-3-2-1-0): the index finger goes to the B string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for C and E, which stay put while the rest moves.
Piano: Cmaj7 to Fmaj7: play Fmaj7 in 2nd inversion (C–E–F–A) and C and E stay under the same fingers, while G moves down to F and B down to A. Fmaj7 - Cmaj7 → G7 (V in C major)
Guitar: Cmaj7 (x-3-2-0-0-0) to G7 (3-2-0-0-0-1): the index finger goes to the high E string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the low E string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. The two chords share G and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Cmaj7 to G7: play G7 in 2nd inversion (D–F–G–B) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while C moves up to D and E up to F. G7 - Cmaj7 → Am7 (vi in C major)
Guitar: Cmaj7 (x-3-2-0-0-0) to Am7 (x-0-2-0-1-0): the index finger goes to the B string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. C, E and G carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Cmaj7 to Am7: play Am7 in 1st inversion (C–E–G–A) and C, E and G stay under the same fingers, while B moves down to A. Am7
Guitar with a capo: capo 3, Amaj7 shape; capo 5, Gmaj7 shape; capo 7, Fmaj7 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 3, Amaj7 shape; capo 5, Gmaj7 shape; capo 7, Fmaj7 shape.
How Cmaj7 is built
Cmaj7 is a major seventh chord: a major triad with the note a half step below the octave added. The result is soft and a little dreamy, the sound of bossa nova, soul ballads and a lot of indie guitar.
Start on C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 half steps up to G then 4 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 | |
| E | major third | 4 | |
| G | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| B | major seventh | 11 |
Keys and progressions with Cmaj7
In major keys, Cmaj7 is I7 in C major and IV7 in G major. In minor keys it is III7 in A minor and VI7 in E minor.
In C major, ii–V–I is Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7. the jazz cadence
Chords close to Cmaj7
- Cmaj7 is C plus B. C
- Cmaj7 and C7 differ by one note: B in Cmaj7, B♭ in C7. They share C, E and G. C7
Chords that share most of their notes with Cmaj7: C, Em, C7, Cadd9, C6, C♯m7♭5.
Every C chord
Cmaj7 chord: questions
What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?
C, E, G and B. Cmaj7 is built 1–3–5–7 from C: E is the major third, G is the perfect fifth and B is the major seventh.
How do you play Cmaj7 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-3-2-0-0-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Cmaj7 on piano?
Play C, E, G and B with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. C sits just left of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Cmaj7 on ukulele?
0-0-0-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Cmaj7 in?
In major keys, Cmaj7 is I7 in C major and IV7 in G major. In minor keys it is III7 in A minor and VI7 in E minor.
What's the difference between Cmaj7 and C?
Cmaj7 is C plus B.
All three instruments are drawn and played from C, E, G and B by the same engine. Updated September 2026.