The major chord formula is 1–3–5: the root, major third, and perfect fifth of a major scale. In semitones from the root, it is 0–4–7. C major contains C, E, and G.
That formula works on any harmonic instrument. Once you understand the numbers, you can build a major chord from any root instead of memorizing shapes in isolation. The broader principle is covered in this guide to how chords are built.
What Is the Major Chord Formula?
The major chord formula is 1–3–5. These numbers are scale degrees, not fret numbers, finger numbers, or semitone distances. They tell you to take the first, third, and fifth notes of the major scale that begins on the chord’s root.
Scale degrees: 1–3–5
Start with a major scale and number its notes from 1 through 7. The C major scale is:
C–D–E–F–G–A–B
Numbering those notes gives:
1–2–3–4–5–6–7
Selecting degrees 1, 3, and 5 produces C–E–G, the C major triad. A triad is a three-note chord built from a root, a third, and a fifth. The major-triad explanation shows how this structure functions in different keys.
Semitone distances: 0–4–7
The semitone formula 0–4–7 measures every chord tone from the root. Zero represents the root itself, the major third lies four semitones above it, and the perfect fifth lies seven semitones above it.
The formulas 1–3–5 and 0–4–7 describe the same chord differently:
| Formula | What it measures | C major example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3–5 | Degrees of the C major scale | C–E–G |
| 0–4–7 | Semitones above C | C–E–G |
| 4–3 | Semitones between adjacent chord tones | C to E, then E to G |
How Do You Build a Major Chord?
You can build a major chord by selecting 1, 3, and 5 from the root’s major scale or by counting 0, 4, and 7 semitones from the root. Both methods produce the same notes, but the scale method usually gives clearer theoretical spelling.
Build from the major scale
Use this three-step process:
- Write the major scale beginning on the desired root.
- Number the notes from 1 to 7.
- Keep scale degrees 1, 3, and 5.
For B-flat major, the scale begins B♭–C–D–E♭–F–G–A. Degrees 1, 3, and 5 are B♭, D, and F, so the chord is B♭ major.
For F-sharp major, the relevant degrees are F♯, A♯, and C♯. The chord is spelled F♯–A♯–C♯ rather than F♯–B♭–C♯ because a correctly spelled triad uses three different letter names in alternating order. Understanding the major third interval makes the choice of A♯ easier to see.
Build by counting semitones
Place the root at zero, count four semitones upward for the major third, then count seven semitones upward from the root for the perfect fifth.
Starting on E:
- E = 0
- G♯ = 4 semitones above E
- B = 7 semitones above E
The result is E–G♯–B. Counting semitones is fast on an instrument, but you should still check the note names. Enharmonic notes can sound identical while serving different written functions.
What Notes Are in Every Major Chord?
Every major chord contains a root, major third, and perfect fifth. The table lists practical spellings of the 12 major triads.
| Major chord | Root | Major third | Perfect fifth |
| C | C | E | G |
| D♭ | D♭ | F | A♭ |
| D | D | F♯ | A |
| E♭ | E♭ | G | B♭ |
| E | E | G♯ | B |
| F | F | A | C |
| F♯ | F♯ | A♯ | C♯ |
| G | G | B | D |
| A♭ | A♭ | C | E♭ |
| A | A | C♯ | E |
| B♭ | B♭ | D | F |
| B | B | D♯ | F♯ |
Each row follows 1–3–5 and uses one letter for each chord tone. D major, for instance, must contain some kind of D, F, and A. Its third is F♯ because F natural is only three semitones above D and would create a minor third.
The fifth stays seven semitones above the root in every ordinary major triad. You can examine why that interval is so stable in this guide to the perfect fifth.
How Is a Major Chord Constructed Internally?
A root-position major chord is a major third with a minor third stacked above it. In C–E–G, C to E spans four semitones, while E to G spans three. The outer interval from C to G is a perfect fifth of seven semitones.
Root position and inversions
Root position places the root in the bass: C–E–G. Moving the lowest note up an octave creates first inversion, E–G–C. Repeating the process creates second inversion, G–C–E.
All three arrangements remain C major because they contain the same chord tones. The bass note and spacing change the voicing and musical effect, but not the chord quality. A deeper look at first-inversion chords explains how the third in the bass affects harmonic movement.
Doubling does not change the formula
Guitar and piano voicings often repeat notes. A six-string C chord may contain more than three pitches, but each is still C, E, or G. Doubling a tone does not alter the formula. Omitting the third is different because that note most clearly distinguishes major from minor.
How Does the Major Formula Compare With Other Triads?
Major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads all use a root, third, and fifth, but alterations to the third or fifth change the chord quality. The major triad is the unaltered 1–3–5 reference point.
| Triad quality | Scale-degree formula | Semitones from root | C-root example |
| Major | 1–3–5 | 0–4–7 | C–E–G |
| Minor | 1–♭3–5 | 0–3–7 | C–E♭–G |
| Diminished | 1–♭3–♭5 | 0–3–6 | C–E♭–G♭ |
| Augmented | 1–3–♯5 | 0–4–8 | C–E–G♯ |
Lowering E to E♭ changes C major into C minor. The fifth remains G, so the defining difference between these two common qualities is one semitone in the third. The full major-versus-minor chord comparison explores how that small structural change affects chord identity.
A major seventh chord is also different from a plain major chord. Cmaj7 adds B to C–E–G, producing the formula 1–3–5–7. The word “major” in both names describes the triad quality, but “seventh” signals an added chord member.
Where Are Major Chords Found in Music?
In a major key, major triads occur naturally on scale degrees I, IV, and V. In C major, those chords are C major, F major, and G major. They often establish the tonic, predominant, and dominant areas of the key.
Major chords are not limited to major keys. A minor key commonly uses a major V chord to create stronger movement back to the tonic, and borrowed chords can introduce major triads from parallel or related modes. The chord’s quality comes from its internal 1–3–5 structure, not from whether the entire song is in a major key.
On guitar, one formula may appear as many fretboard shapes because chord tones can be doubled, reordered, or placed in different octaves. On piano, the same notes can be spread across both hands. Learning guitar chord construction helps connect the abstract formula to practical voicings without treating every shape as an unrelated chord.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1–3–5 mean in a major chord?
The numbers refer to the first, third, and fifth degrees of the root note’s major scale. For C major, those degrees are C, E, and G.
Is the major chord formula 1–3–5 or 4–3?
Both descriptions can be correct, but they measure different things. The formula 1–3–5 identifies scale degrees, while 4–3 describes a four-semitone major third followed by a three-semitone minor third.
How many semitones are in a major chord?
The major third is four semitones above the root, and the perfect fifth is seven semitones above the root. This gives the root-based semitone formula 0–4–7.
What is the difference between a major chord and a major seventh chord?
A major chord contains 1–3–5. A major seventh chord adds scale degree 7, giving 1–3–5–7; C major is C–E–G, while Cmaj7 is C–E–G–B.
Can a major chord be played with the notes in a different order?
Yes. Reordering the notes creates an inversion or a different voicing, but the chord remains major as long as its essential root, major third, and perfect fifth are present.
Why does a major chord sometimes contain sharps or flats?
Sharps and flats keep each chord tone at the correct interval above the root. D major needs F♯ because F natural is only a minor third above D, while F♯ is the required major third.
Liam Turner is a guitar theory writer and chord analysis specialist at Chord Calculator. He focuses on chord construction, music theory, scale relationships, harmony tools, and guitar learning resources for musicians, producers, songwriters, and beginners. Liam creates practical, easy-to-follow content around chord progressions, interval formulas, key analysis, and interactive music tools to help users better understand harmony, songwriting, and instrument practice.