Fmaj7 chord
Fmaj7 is F, A, C and E: 1–3–5–7 built on F. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-x-3-2-1-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- F · A · C · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
- First shape
- x-x-3-2-1-0
Fmaj7 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · F–A–C–E · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- F · A · C · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
Fmaj7 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-4-1-3 · movable · medium
- Notes
- F · A · C · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
- First shape
- 2-4-1-3
Where Fmaj7 usually goes next
Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.
- Fmaj7 → B♭maj7 (IV in F major)
Guitar: Fmaj7 (x-x-3-2-1-0) to B♭maj7 (x-1-3-2-3-1): your middle and ring fingers stay put, the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 1st fret, the pinky finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. Shared notes: F and A.
Piano: Fmaj7 to B♭maj7: play B♭maj7 in 2nd inversion (F–A–B♭–D) and F and A stay under the same fingers, while C moves down to B♭ and E down to D. B♭maj7 - Fmaj7 → C7 (V in F major)
Guitar: Fmaj7 (x-x-3-2-1-0) to C7 (x-3-2-3-1-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the A string at the same fret, the pinky finger comes down on the G string, 3rd fret. C and E carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Fmaj7 to C7: play C7 in 2nd inversion (G–B♭–C–E) and C and E stay under the same fingers, while F moves up to G and A up to B♭. C7 - Fmaj7 → Dm7 (vi in F major)
Guitar: Fmaj7 (x-x-3-2-1-0) to Dm7 (x-x-0-2-1-1): your index finger stays put, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 1st fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret. F, A and C carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Fmaj7 to Dm7: play Dm7 in 1st inversion (F–A–C–D) and F, A and C stay under the same fingers, while E moves down to D. Dm7
Guitar with a capo: capo 1, Emaj7 shape; capo 3, Dmaj7 shape; capo 5, Cmaj7 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, Cmaj7 shape.
How Fmaj7 is built
Fmaj7 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.
From F, go 4 half steps up to A, 3 half steps up to C then 4 half steps up to E.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | root | 0 | |
| A | major third | 4 | |
| C | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| E | major seventh | 11 |
Keys and progressions with Fmaj7
You'll find Fmaj7 as I7 in F major and IV7 in C major. On the minor side it's III7 in D minor and VI7 in A minor.
ii–V–I in F major runs Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7. the jazz cadence
Chords close to Fmaj7
- Fmaj7 is F plus E. F
- Fmaj7 and F7 differ by one note: E in Fmaj7, E♭ in F7. They share F, A and C. F7
Chords that share most of their notes with Fmaj7: F, Am, C6, Dm7, F7, Fadd9.
Every F chord
Fmaj7 chord: questions
What notes are in the Fmaj7 chord?
F, A, C and E. Fmaj7 is built 1–3–5–7 from F: A is the major third, C is the perfect fifth and E is the major seventh.
How do you play Fmaj7 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-3-2-1-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Fmaj7 on piano?
Play F, A, C and E with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. F sits just left of the group of three black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Fmaj7 on ukulele?
2-4-1-3 in standard GCEA tuning, or 5-5-0-0. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Fmaj7 in?
You'll find Fmaj7 as I7 in F major and IV7 in C major. On the minor side it's III7 in D minor and VI7 in A minor.
What's the difference between Fmaj7 and F?
Fmaj7 is F plus E.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes F, A, C and E and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.