C major chord (C)
C is C, E and G: 1–3–5 built on C. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-3-2-0-1-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- C · E · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
- First shape
- x-3-2-0-1-0
C on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · C–E–G · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- C · E · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
C on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-0-0-3 · open · easy
- Notes
- C · E · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
- First shape
- 0-0-0-3
Where C usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what C does in songs.
- C → F (IV in C major)
Guitar: C (x-3-2-0-1-0) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): your ring finger stays put, the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. Listen for C, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: C to F: play F in 2nd inversion (C–F–A) and C stays under the same finger, while E moves up to F and G up to A. F - C → G (V in C major)
Guitar: C (x-3-2-0-1-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger goes to the high E string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: G.
Piano: C to G: play G in 1st inversion (B–D–G) and G stays under the same finger, while C moves down to B and E down to D. G - C → Am (vi in C major)
Guitar: C (x-3-2-0-1-0) to Am (x-0-2-2-1-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, your ring finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. The two chords share C and E, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: C to Am: play Am in 1st inversion (C–E–A) and C and E stay under the same fingers, while G moves up to A. Am
Guitar with a capo: capo 3, A shape; capo 5, G shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, B♭ shape; capo 3, A shape; capo 5, G shape; capo 7, F shape.
How C is built
A major chord sounds finished and open. C is the "home" chord of C major and turns up as a bright IV or V in the neighboring keys.
Count keys (black and white) from C: 4 half steps up to E then 3 half steps up to G.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 | |
| E | major third | 4 | |
| G | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with C
C belongs to 7 keys: I in C major, IV in G major, V in F major, III in A minor, V in F minor (borrowing the raised 7th), VI in E minor and VII in D minor.
Play I–V–vi–IV in C major and you get C – G – Am – F. the pop progression
C – F – G – C: that's I–IV–V in the key of C major. the three-chord progression
In C major, I–vi–IV–V is C – Am – F – G. the 50s progression
vi–IV–I–V in C major runs Am – F – C – G. the minor-feel pop loop
Chords close to C
- C and Cm differ by one note: E in C, E♭ in Cm. They share C and G. Cm
- C and Am differ by one note: G in C, A in Am. They share C and E. Am
Chords that share most of their notes with C: C7, Cmaj7, Cadd9, C6, Am7, C9.
Every C chord
C major chord: questions
What notes are in the C major chord?
C, E and G. C is built 1–3–5 from C: E is the major third and G is the perfect fifth.
How do you play C on guitar?
The usual shape is x-3-2-0-1-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play C on piano?
Play C, E and G with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. C sits just left of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play C on ukulele?
0-0-0-3 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is C in?
C belongs to 7 keys: I in C major, IV in G major, V in F major, III in A minor, V in F minor (borrowing the raised 7th), VI in E minor and VII in D minor.
What's the difference between C and Cm?
C and Cm differ by one note: E in C, E♭ in Cm. They share C and G.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes C, E and G and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.