C♯ diminished chord (C♯dim)
C♯dim 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-4-2-0-2-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- C♯ · E · G
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
- First shape
- x-4-2-0-2-0
C♯dim 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♯dim on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-4-3-4 · open · easy
- Notes
- C♯ · E · G
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
- First shape
- 0-4-3-4
Where C♯dim usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what C♯dim does in songs.
- C♯dim → D (leads up a half step)
Guitar: C♯dim (x-4-2-0-2-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the high E string at the same fret, your ring finger lands on the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once.
Piano: C♯dim to D: play D in root position (D–F♯–A), while C♯ moves up to D, E up to F♯ and G up to A. D - C♯dim → Dm (leads up a half step)
Guitar: C♯dim (x-4-2-0-2-0) to Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1): your index finger lands on the high E string, 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit.
Piano: C♯dim to Dm: play Dm in root position (D–F–A), while C♯ moves up to D, E up to F and G up to A. Dm - C♯dim → F♯m (iii in D major)
Guitar: C♯dim (x-4-2-0-2-0) to F♯m (2-4-4-2-2-2): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 4th fret, the ring finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: C♯.
Piano: C♯dim to F♯m: play F♯m 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♯m
How C♯dim is built
C♯dim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. It sounds tense and unstable and rarely stays long. Its most common job is to lead up a half step, so C♯dim usually moves to D or Dm.
Count keys (black and white) from C♯: 3 half steps up to E then 3 half steps up to G. D♭dim is the other spelling of the same chord.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C♯ | root | 0 | |
| E | minor third | 3 | |
| G | diminished fifth | 6 |
Keys and progressions with C♯dim
In major keys, C♯dim is vii° in D major. In minor keys it is ii° in B minor.
Chords close to C♯dim
- C♯dim and C♯m differ by one note: G in C♯dim, G♯ in C♯m. They share C♯ and E. C♯m
Chords that share most of their notes with C♯dim: C♯dim7, C♯m7♭5, Em6, Edim7, Gdim7, A7.
Every C♯ chord
C♯ diminished chord: questions
What notes are in the C♯ diminished chord?
C♯, E and G. C♯dim is built 1–♭3–♭5 from C♯: E is the minor third and G is the diminished fifth.
How do you play C♯dim on guitar?
The usual shape is x-4-2-0-2-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play C♯dim on piano?
Play C♯, E and G with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. C♯ sits on the black key between C and D. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play C♯dim on ukulele?
0-4-3-4 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is C♯dim in?
In major keys, C♯dim is vii° in D major. In minor keys it is ii° in B minor.
What's the difference between C♯dim and C♯m?
C♯dim and C♯m differ by one note: G in C♯dim, G♯ in C♯m. They share C♯ and E.
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.