Chord Types — Triads, Sevenths & Jazz Chords
Explore all 20 chord types used across Western and contemporary music — from foundational triads and seventh chords to suspended, added tone, and extended harmony. Every chord type includes the complete interval formula, note names in all 12 roots, and inversions. See also the scale reference for scales that use each chord, and the note frequency reference for pitch and frequency data.
What Is a Chord?
A chord is three or more notes sounded together, creating harmony. Chords are built by stacking intervals — typically thirds — on top of a root note. The specific combination of intervals determines the chord's quality: major, minor, diminished, augmented, or suspended. Every song you hear is built on a sequence of chords called a chord progression.
The simplest chords are triads, made of three notes: a root, a third, and a fifth. A C major triad (C–E–G) uses a major third plus a minor third. Swap the order — minor third first, then major third — and you get a C minor triad (C–E♭–G). This small change transforms a bright, happy sound into something darker and more melancholic.
Adding a fourth note produces seventh chords, which add richness and tension. Jazz musicians rely heavily on major seventh, minor seventh, and dominant seventh chords. Beyond sevenths, suspended chords replace the third with a second or fourth to create an open, unresolved sound. Added tone chords like add9 and add11 layer extra color without the full extension of a ninth or eleventh chord.
Whether you are a guitarist memorizing barre chord shapes, a pianist voicing jazz chords, or a songwriter searching for the right harmonic color, understanding chord construction helps you communicate with other musicians and unlock new creative possibilities. Use this reference to explore every chord type, its interval formula, and the notes in all 12 keys.